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, PLAs not only support their peers—they help shape a more equitable and collaborative learning environment for the entire campus community.
PLA Goals:
While thriving in the PLA role, you will
- Identify the variety of roles PLA 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 PLA practices at UCM or beyond in some way (such projects may be a: workshop, webpage, research presentation, paper, etc.)
Prerequisite student knowledge
PLA are required to have completed the course having earned a grade of B or higher prior to being a PLA
PLA Learning outcomes
students will be able to (i) clearly 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)
- Attend lecture (50 minutes course, 3x/week (see article)
- Attend labs
- Attend PLA's weekly learning session
- Attend weekly meetings with course instructors
- Proctor exams
- Grade exams with instructors
