Learning Assistants Programs
-
Learning Assistants Programs
A Learning Assistant (LA) is a near-peer student who works in the classroom to aide in the learning process. LAs differ from teaching assistants; TAs generally assist the teacher (grading, preparing materials) while LAs assist the learner (guided inquiry, working through challenging ideas. Classes with LAs have been shown to improve conceptual understanding and course pass rates. The number of LA programs at two-year colleges (TYCs) is growing. Join us in this interactive session to learn about LA programs, and hear from TYC faculty who have incorporated LAs into their teaching toolkit.
Facilitators:
- Jim Rabchuk (Oakton Community College, IL)
- Mel Sabella (Chicago State University, IL)
Resources:
- The Learning Assistant Alliance
- Exploring the Underlying Factors in Learning Assistant - Faculty Partnerships (Davenport, F. et al. 2017. Physics Education Research Conference, p.104-107.)
- A Scoping Review of Literature Assessing the Impact of the Learning Assistant Model (Barrasso, A.P. and Spilios, K.E. 2021. International Journal of STEM Education, Vol. 8, Article 12.)
- The Benefits of Participating in a Learning Assistant Program on the Metacognitive Awareness and Motivation of Learning Assistants (Breland, H. et al. 2023. CBE - Life Sciences Education, Vol. 22, No. 3.)