Pedagogy
Overview
The pedagogy course introduces new LAs to educational research, active learning, and strategies that support:
1. Eliciting student ideas and helping all group members become active and engaged in the class
2. Listening and questioning
3. Building relationships
4. Integrating learning theories with effective practices.
A primary aim of the pedagogy course is to shift LAs concerns from “What if I don’t know the answer?” to “How can I better assist my students?” LAs read and reflect on the education literature and learning theory as they gain a deeper understanding of how their students learn.
Core Features
Content in the pedagogy course will vary, but key topics focus on both theory (foundations in learning theories and mental models) and practice (classroom strategies for supporting active learning).
Content
LA learning goals include reflecting on their own teaching and learning and making connections to relevant education theory and literature.
Support
LAs form a community of support to discuss their roles and experiences working with students and faculty.
Interaction
The course prepares LAs to interact with students, question students according to specific class topics, make claims about students’ ideas, and take action as a result. Ideally, to help students interact with one another.
Inspiration
The pedagogy course can serve to inspire and motivate LAs to recognize and exercise their capabilities and responsibilities for creating effective, inclusive learning environments.
Contexts
The pedagogy course can be adapted to serve the needs and draw upon the resources of the local LA program. Questions to consider include: what is the program size? who will teach the pedagogy course? Will the course be for a single discipline or multidiciplinary? Will the course be offered face-to-face, online, or a hybrid?
Sharing LA perspectives on best practices
LAs develop a sophisticated understanding of best practices in teaching and learning. These LA insights can provide professional development opportunities throughout a campus community. See more ...
