Position:Learning Assistant
Department:Physical Sciences
Classification:Part-time, Non-benefit eligible
Rate:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย IL State minimum wage
Duties: The College of Science offers faculty the opportunity to utilize learning assistants (LA) in their classrooms. Our LA program is based on
ย the understanding that learning requires students to articulate and defend their ideas. Thus, LA supported courses provide regular opportunities
ย for students to engage with each other in small groups using challenging curricular materials that help students to get closer
ย to a scientific/mathematical understanding. An LA's primary role is to facilitate these collaborative environments by listening, observing,
engaging students in questioning, helping students articulate their ideas and justify their reasoning to themselves and other students. LAs
may also be valuable in providing feedback to the professor on student understanding. LAs can be used in classroom situations such as lecture
using clickers, flipped settings, recitation, labs, learning communities, help/review sessions both in person or online. LAs are coached in aspects
of pedagogy, and most importantly, how to get students to answer their own questions instead of the LAs giving the answers.
Expectations of the LA
Content:ย LAs meet weekly (~ 1 hr + prep time) with their supervising professor to review problem sets or other activities for the upcoming week, and reflect on the previous week.
Practice:ย LAs attend all classes as required by their supervising professor (1-3 hr) and facilitate collaboration among students by formatively assessing student understanding and asking guiding questions. Offer guided help sessions if required by the professor.
Pedagogy:ย LAs attend a special mathematics and science education seminar (NTSC 200 for 1SH) where they reflect on their own teaching and learning and make connections to relevant education literature. This course meets Engaged Learning (EL) and Learning Community (LCOM) designations.