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Peer Learning Assistants - Information for Students

Interested in Becoming a Learning Assistant?

At UCM, LAs collaborate with faculty to co-create peer learning opportunities that are built on trust, reflection, and a shared purpose. As an LA, you will reflect on your role, explore the impact of your support, and engage with faculty to meet students where they are. Together, students, faculty, and administrators will explore how LAs are understood, valued, and integrated into teaching and learning at UCM.

Student information [here]

LA Goals:

While thriving in the LA role, you will

  • Identify the variety of roles LA play in and outside the classroom
  • Gain familiarity with current and emerging teaching and learning practices
  • Interrogate your relationship with peers towards developing a sustainable and healthier one
  • Apply methods from multiple disciplinary areas to understand the student perspective
  • Collaborate and create a project that will impact LA practices at UCM or beyond in some way (such projects may be a workshop, webpage, research presentation, paper, etc.)

What Do We Ask of Learning Assistants?

  • Participate in the PEDAGOGY-FOCUSED SEMINAR offered by Dr. Adriana Signorini <asignorini@ucmerced.edu> consisting of a 1.5-hour seminar + 1.5 hrs/week reading and time to write weekly reflections and work on course projects.
  • Participate in the CONTENT MEETING. LAs meet weekly with their Content Course Instructor and Content Course TAs to discuss the material being covered in the Discussion and/or Lab sections for that week.
  • Participate in LECTURE, LAB AND/OR DISCUSSION SECTION LAs spend 2-6 hours facilitating collaborative learning in Lecture, Lab and/or Discussion Sections.
  • Offer OFFICE HOURS OR STUDY FORUM. LAs spend 1-3 hours a week supporting students with Review Sessions or answering questions on course discussion forums. LAs can also support TAs during TA Office Hours.

Prerequisite student knowledge

LAs are required to have completed the course, having earned a grade of B or higher, before being an LA.

LA Learning Outcomes

LA students will be able to

(i) communicate complex concepts to diverse student groups,

(ii) gain competency in grading assignments and exams consistently and fairly, providing constructive feedback that supports student learning and development, and

(iii) build strong organizational, time-management, and communication skills while fostering collaboration with faculty, peers, and students to enhance the overall educational experience. (IV) Provide feedback to illustrate the program's impact.

Intended learning time for each week ranges from 7 to 10 hours.

  1. Attend lecture (50-minute course, 3x/week (see article)
  2. Attend labs
  3. Attend LA's weekly learning session
  4. Attend weekly meetings with course instructors
  5. Proctor exams
  6. Grade exams with instructors

Do you not yet feel confident enough to be an LA?

  • You don't need to feel like an expert
  • You get a lot of support
  • We especially love having LAs who struggled in the course.

Throughout your experience, you will engage with scholarly literature on peer learning and inclusive teaching practices. Drawing on this research and your practical experiences, you will complete a culminating project with an impact beyond the classroom. This may include:

  • Presenting your findings through academic presentations or publications
  • Developing resources for students or faculty to enhance teaching and learning
  • Advocating for changes in instructional practices or policy at UC Merced

Through this work, LAs not only support their peers—they help shape a more equitable and collaborative learning environment for the entire campus community.