1. What is the role of a learning assistant? Learning assistants help facilitate discussions and workshops during lectures, team-teach recitation or laboratory sections with a graduate teaching assistant, and independently lead supplemental study groups or recitations.

2. Who can be a learning assistant? Candidates should be in good academic standing and have successfully completed the course for which they will serve as an LA. Good group facilitation and administrative skills are also required1.

3. What are the benefits of becoming an LA? LAs develop communication and group facilitation skills, work closely with faculty, help other students succeed, and become involved in the university learning community.

4. Do LAs receive training or professional development? Yes, LAs must often co-enroll in a pedagogy course and may participate in weekly preparation sessions to learn how to facilitate learning and engage students in scientific discourse1.

5. What other responsibilities do LAs have? Responsibilities can include leading discussions with small groups of students in various classroom settings and being involved in about 160 minutes of contact time with students each week, though this can vary based on the assignment

6. What are some success stories of LAs impacting student learning?

• Enhanced Engagement: A study published in the International Journal of STEM Education found that LAs promote engagement in active learning. The research developed a novel instrument to measure undergraduate students’ perceptions of social supports for active learning provided by LAs. The results indicated that LAs effectively support students during in-class activities, leading to increased student performance1.

• Supportive Feedback: The same study also identified that LAs provide supportive feedback, emotional support, and communicate norms and values related to active learning. These supports were correlated with measures of student engagement, suggesting that LAs play a crucial role in encouraging students to participate actively in their learning process1.

• Positive Learning Outcomes: Another research article discussed the potential of chatbots as AI Student Assistants in the classroom. It highlighted that such tools, akin to human LAs, can help students learn basic content in a responsive, interactive, and confidential way. The study’s findings suggest that intelligent assistants, whether human or AI, can be engaging and effective in teaching basic concepts and providing educational resources2.

• Professional Development: Education Assistants, including LAs, have been recognized for their role in changing lives and contributing to student success. For instance, Stenberg College shared success stories where LAs focused on positive outcomes and helped students overcome challenges

LA Experience FAQs