Indicates a research-demonstrated benefit

CU Learning Assistant Program

Overview

A program to recruit talented undergraduate science majors to become K-12 science teachers and to improve undergraduate education by implementing large-scale teaching reform.  Learning assistants are talented science majors recruited to assist in the implementation of research-based curriculum in undergraduate courses, to learn about pedagogy, and to consider careers in K-12 teaching. LA programs can provide the additional instructors needed to implement many research-based methods.

	Type of Method	Instructional strategy
	Level	Designed for: Teacher Preparation, Intro College Calculus-based, Intro College Algebra-based, Intro College Conceptual, Astronomy, Other Science Can be adapted for: Intermediate Undergraduate, Advanced Undergraduate
	Setting	Designed for: Recitation/Discussion Session Can be adapted for: Lecture - Large (30+ students), Lecture - Small (<30 students), Lab, Studio
	Coverage	Few topics with great depth, Many topics with less depth
	Topics	Mechanics, Electricity / Magnetism, Waves / Optics, Thermal / Statistical, Modern / Quantum, Mathematical, Astronomy, Other Science, Pedagogy
	Instructor Effort	Medium
	Resource Needs	Teaching Assistants / Learning Assistants, reformed curriculum materials
	Skills	Designed for: Conceptual understanding of physics content, Think like a scientist, Reflecting on one's own learning, (Depends on the instructor and use of materials. Instructor may use materials that explicitly target any of these.) Can be adapted for: Problem-solving skills, Connecting conceptual and mathematical understanding, Coherent framework for physics, Understanding how physics relates to the real world, Self-confidence around physics, Enjoyment of physics, Laboratory skills, Representing knowledge in multiple ways, Designing experiments, Creativity, Autonomy, Cooperative learning
	Research Validation	Based on research into: how students learn, student ideas about specific topics Demonstrated to improve: scores on multiple choice conceptual tests, beliefs about physics Studied using: conceptual pre/post exams, beliefs pre/post exams, student interviews, classroom observations, video of students, research conducted at multiple institutions
	Compatible Methods	Peer Instruction, PhET, UW Tutorials, JiTT, Ranking Tasks, ILDs, CGPS, Physlets, Context-Rich Problems, RealTime Physics, Workshop Physics, TIPERs, ABP Tutorials, SCALE-UP, Modeling, OSP, SDI Labs, OST Tutorials, ISLE, Thinking Problems, Workbook for Introductory Physics, PBI, PET, PSET, LEPS, CAE TPS, Lecture-Tutorials, Astro Ranking Tasks, MBL, New Model Course, CPU, SCL, TEFA, CU Modern, CU E&M, CU QM, QuILTs, IQP, Thermal Tutorials, Mechanics Tutorials, SGSI, Paradigms, EiP, Tools for Scientific Thinking, M&I, Tutorials, Clickers
	Similar Method	None
	Developer(s)	Valerie Otero and Dick McCray
	Website	http://laprogram.colorado.edu/