Undergraduate Learning Assistant Program at UCLA

The Learning Assistants (LA) Program in the Sciences at UCLA is an evidence-based, multidisciplinary instructional strategy, in which undergraduate students who have succeeded in a given course receive credit to learn how to help the next group of students succeed in that course. It is specifically geared toward large introductory science, engineering and math courses. LAs thus help facilitate active learning and collaborative instruction in lecture, discussion and/or lab. The program aims to strengthen a few key aspects of UCLA courses: Enhance the ability of faculty to effectively scale active learning, collaborative learning, and other interactive activities to more effectively teach a large and diverse student body. Increase the success and skills of the LAs themselves, as they refine content knowledge, while gaining new communication skills and a sense of community. Increase the level of student satisfaction and belonging in these courses, and for the LAs themselves. Provide feedback to instructors and TAs about ways to improve instruction, since LAs are often more aware of student perspectives and interests than the faculty and TAs teaching the courses.