Empowering STEM Education: The UCLA Learning Assistant Program

The Undergraduate Learning Assistants (LA) Program in the Sciences at UCLA represents a significant, evidence-based, multidisciplinary instructional strategy aimed at enhancing student success in STEM fields. This program leverages the experience of undergraduate students who have previously excelled in a particular course, providing them with the opportunity to facilitate learning for subsequent cohorts. By participating as Learning Assistants, these students not only reinforce their own understanding of the course material but also develop crucial pedagogical skills.

Mission and Goals

At its core, UCLA’s Learning Assistant program is driven by a powerful mission: to EMPOWER STUDENTS through inclusive STEM teaching. This mission is realized through several key goals:

Enhancing Student Learning: LAs provide additional support to students, leading to improved comprehension and performance in challenging STEM courses.
Developing Future Educators: The program equips LAs with valuable teaching skills and experience, fostering an interest in education and preparing them for future roles as educators and mentors.
Creating Inclusive Learning Environments: By promoting active learning and collaboration, LAs contribute to more inclusive and engaging classroom environments where all students feel supported and empowered to succeed.

The Learning Assistant Experience

What LAs Do

Learning Assistants play a multifaceted role in supporting student learning. Their responsibilities typically include:

Assisting in Lectures and Discussions: LAs attend lectures and discussion sections, providing real-time support to students and facilitating active learning activities.
Answering Questions Online: LAs respond to questions posted on the discussion forum, ensuring that students receive timely and accurate assistance with course concepts.
Holding Office Hours: LAs hold additional office hours each week, providing students with opportunities to receive one-on-one help and clarification on challenging topics.
Facilitating Group Collaboration: LAs guide students in group discussions and activities, encouraging critical reasoning and collaborative problem-solving.

Pedagogy Seminar: Learning How to Teach

A cornerstone of the LA program is the weekly pedagogy seminar. In this seminar, LAs learn evidence-based teaching techniques designed to enhance student learning. The seminar covers the theory of learning and explores strategies that promote active engagement and deeper understanding. Topics covered typically include:

Active Learning Strategies: Techniques for engaging students in the learning process, such as think-pair-share, peer instruction, and group problem-solving.
Effective Communication Skills: Strategies for communicating complex concepts clearly and concisely, and for providing constructive feedback to students.
Inclusive Teaching Practices: Methods for creating a welcoming and supportive learning environment for all students, regardless of their background or learning style.
Assessment Techniques: Approaches to assessing student learning and providing meaningful feedback that promotes growth and improvement.

The pedagogy seminar involves weekly readings, reflections, and projects, requiring LAs to dedicate approximately 2 hours per week to these activities. The seminar is co-taught by experienced faculty members, providing LAs with expert guidance and mentorship.

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Benefits for Learning Assistants

Participating in the LA program offers numerous benefits for undergraduate students:

Improved Content Knowledge: By assisting other students, LAs reinforce their own understanding of course material and gain a deeper appreciation for the subject matter.
Enhanced Communication and Teaching Skills: The program provides LAs with opportunities to develop and refine their communication, teaching, and leadership skills.
Professional Development: The LA experience is a valuable addition to any resume or graduate school application, demonstrating a commitment to education and a capacity for leadership.
Personal Satisfaction: LAs report feeling a sense of satisfaction from helping other students succeed and from making a positive impact on the learning environment.

Program Structure and Participation

Eligibility and Application

The Undergraduate Learning Assistants Program in the Sciences at UCLA is open to undergraduate students who have successfully completed the course for which they wish to serve as an LA. The specific requirements and application process may vary by department and course, so interested students should consult with the program coordinator or the relevant course instructor for more information.

Course Coverage

The LA program has been implemented in a wide range of STEM courses at UCLA, including:

Physics (Physics 5 series, Physics 1 series)
Mathematics (Math 31A/B)
Computer Science (CS30 series)
Life Sciences (Life Sciences 7 series, Life Sciences 23L, Life Sciences 30A/B)
Biochemistry (Biochemistry 153 series)
Chemistry (Chemistry 14 series, Chemistry 20/30 series)

The courses participating in the LA program may vary each quarter, so students should check with the program coordinator for the most up-to-date information.

Multiple LA Positions and Advancement

Students are permitted to LA for more than one class in a quarter, and many returning LAs choose to LA for the same course multiple times or for different courses. Experienced LAs have the opportunity to advance to leadership roles, such as Pedagogy, Head, and Program Development LAs. These roles involve a variety of duties, including:

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Observing and working with other LAs
Helping to run the weekly content meeting with LAs
Organizing the LAs to be most effective
Helping to assess the effectiveness of the LA program

Commitment to the Pedagogy Seminar

Attendance and participation in the pedagogy seminar are mandatory for all LAs. The seminar provides LAs with essential training in evidence-based teaching practices that are crucial for facilitating active learning in the classroom.

Testimonials

The impact of the LA program is best illustrated through the experiences of the Learning Assistants themselves. Here are a few testimonials from past participants:

"Being an LA is such a gratifying and eye-opening experience. In addition to all the techniques and tools you will learn in the pedagogy seminar, there are a lot of things you learn 'on the job' from interacting with students. For me, these students have taught me just as much as I have taught them."
"All in all I will say that you are in for a truly rewarding experience."
"When you help a student reach an answer on their own, it is incredibly rewarding."

Overcoming Obstacles: Instructor Participation

For students interested in becoming an LA for a specific class whose instructor is not currently participating in the LA program, it is recommended to reach out to the instructor and share information about the program and its benefits. The LA program is always looking for new instructors to partner with, and student interest can be a powerful motivator.

Success Stories: Where are they now?

The UCLA Learning Assistant program has produced many successful alumni who have gone on to pursue advanced degrees and careers in STEM fields. Here are a few examples:

Alana: Graduated with a double-major in Psychobiology and Neuroscience from UCLA in Spring 2022.
Christine: Graduated from UCLA with a double-major in Mathematics and Economics in Spring of 2022. Currently, Christine is a Ph.D. student.
James: Graduated from UCLA with a degree in Chemistry and minors in Digital Humanities and Professional Writing. Currently, James is a Ph.D. student.
Mica: Graduated from UCLA with a degree in Physics and a minor in Math. Currently, Mica is a Ph.D. student.
Aly: Graduated from UCLA with a degree in Bioengineering.
Arliette: Graduated from UCLA with degrees in Anthropology and Psychobiology. Following graduation, Arliette received her MPH from UC Davis.
Mia: Graduated from UCLA with a degree in Computational & Systems Biology in Spring 2021. Following graduation, Mia went on to receive her MPH from Stanford University.

These alumni exemplify the transformative impact of the LA program, demonstrating how it can empower students to excel in their academic pursuits and make meaningful contributions to the STEM community.

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