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Learning Assistants

Recruiting and Working with Learning Assistants

Learning Assistants (LAs) are talented undergraduate students who serve as learning coaches and mentors for students while supporting instructors with teaching-related tasks. LAs are assigned to a particular course and work closely with instructors to provide challenging and meaningful learning experiences for students enrolled in the course. Instructions should meet with their LAs at the beginning of each semester to sign the Learning Assistant Agreement Form, which outlines the responsibilities of both the LA and the Instructor.

LA Recruiting

Instructors who are interested in working with LAs should recruit their best students to apply each semester. Prior experience has demonstrated that students are more likely to apply to become an LA when asked by their instructor. Additionally, instructors who recruit LAs from students in their own courses tend to have an easier time getting started at the beginning of the semester, as they already have a prior academic relationship. Check out these LA recruiting tips from experienced IST instructors.

LAs must meet the following requirements:

  • Grade of A- or A in the course they want to LA for
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher

To help with LA recruitment and ensure that all instructors have adequate support for their classes, please consider taking the following actions:

  1. Recruit LAs for your class by asking specific students to be your LA and encourage them to fill out the LA interest form and tell them to indicate on the form that they have an agreement with you. Interest forms open for the Fall semester in late March and open for the Spring semester in late October.
  2. If you have a student who would be a good LA for the class (regardless of who is teaching it), and they meet the requirements, encourage them to fill out the LA Interest Form as well.
  3. Make a general announcement in class that the college is looking for Learning Assistants for the Spring semester. Some suggestions on how you could advertise this position include:
    1. Sharing this slide at the start of your class or as part of your instructional PowerPoint
    2. Having an LA post the slide as an announcement in Canvas
    3. Sending the slide as a direct email to your class via either Canvas or PSU

If you have questions, email us at learning@ist.psu.edu.