The nationally recognized Learning Assistant (LA) model, based at U. Colorado, Boulder has been transformed for the two-year college setting. LAs are recruited to assist in chemistry courses with various unique assignments to enhance student engagement and improve student success. LAs try on teaching as they work one-on-one with their faculty mentors throughout the semester. Learning Assistants help to guide student interactions during groupwork, listen to and question students as the students articulate and defend their ideas, lead interactive study and review sessions, and build students’ confidence and success in the course. Pedagogical methods are presented during LA training events throughout the semester when the LAs meet as a cohort to develop and practice teaching and interaction strategies. A one-on-one faculty/LA mentorship provides constant guidance and growth for each LA throughout the semester. With demonstrated results, the LA program at Montgomery College has been successful at increasing student success, improving student attitude and engagement for learning in STEM, and providing ‘like-me’ student role models who effectively motivate their fellow peers. With the transition to remote instruction, the LA program has adapted to the remote environment successfully, with new and expanded opportunities for LA-student engagement. The Learning Assistant program fosters deeper learning and a unique teaching experience for the LAs themselves early in their academic journeys. Come see how the LAs, their faculty mentors, chemistry students and the field of STEM education all benefit from this collaboration.

Trying on teaching for student success: The learning assistant program at a two-year college

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.