Learning Assistant Program Overview

The Learning Assistant (LA) Model

The Learning Assistant (LA) Model at the University of Colorado-Boulder uses the transformation of large-enrollment science courses as a mechanism for achieving four goals:

• To recruit and prepare talented science majors for careers in teaching
• To engage science faculty in the recruitment and preparation of future teachers
• To improve the quality of science education for all undergraduates
• To transform departmental cultures to value research-based teaching for ourselves and for our students

The transformation of large-enrollment courses involves creating environments in which students can interact with one another, engage in collaborative problem solving, and articulate and defend their ideas. To accomplish this, undergraduate LAs are hired to facilitate small-group interaction in our large-enrollment courses.  LAs who decide to pursue a K12 teaching license are eligible for a $6,000 to $10,000 Hach or Noyce Scholarship.

The Difference

The differences between the LA model at the University of Colorado-Boulder and other standard models for undergraduate teaching assistants are:

• The focus on teacher recruitment and preparation
• A special seminar targeted at helping LAs integrate content, pedagogy, and practice
• A collaborative educational research program to evaluate the effects of the LA model
• The involvement of science research faculty in recruitment and preparation of teachers

LAs are paid a stipend (currently $1,500/semester) to work approximately 10 hours per week in various aspects of course transformation.  Department include Physics,  While new courses are added each semester, some examples of courses that have been transformed using LAs are listed in Table 1.

The LA Experience

 Although the LA experience is somewhat different for each course, the experience for all LAs involves three related activities:

1. Content: LAs meet weekly with their faculty instructor to plan for the upcoming week, reflect on the previous week, and analyze assessment data;
2. Practice: LAs facilitate collaboration among learning teams by formatively assessing student understanding and asking guiding questions; and
   
3. Pedagogy: LAs from all departments attend a special Mathematics and Science Education seminar where they reflect on their own teaching and learning and make connections to relevant education literature.

Table 1. Learning Assistant Supported Courses

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