What is a Learning Assistant?

What are Learning Assistants?

Learning Assistants are undergraduate students who, after completing a course, and through the guidance of weekly preparation sessions and a pedagogy course, return to the classroom and facilitate discussions among groups of students in a variety of classroom settings that encourage active engagement.

The essential components of the Learning Assistant Programs are often visually described as follows.

The PEDAGOGY course will be EDUC 200 - "Pedagogy for Learning Assistants" and it will taught in the Spring 2026. This course would swap with EDUC 105, and we encourage you to take it.
The EXPERIENCE would currently occur in Chem 121, Data 227, Math 201, Math 202, Bio 170, and Esci 101. You must have completed the course prior to returning to it. And, you'll get compensated for participating back with the class!
The MENTORSHIP will occur weekly with the faculty member teaching the class. These meetings are important as you will be meaningfully engaged in planning and "activating" the classroom.

At Wittenberg:

Pedagogy Training

Wittenberg's "Pedagogy for Learning Assistants" class is EDUC 200 - "Pedagogy for Learning Assistants". This course is offered every spring and should be taken the semester before or during their first semester serving as a learning assistant. Secondary education minors seeking teacher licensure may take this course in place of EDUC 105. Dr. Justin Housknecht uses a learner-centered, constructivist paradigm to improve your understanding and practice of evidence-based instructional and assessment practices. Once completed, you'll be ready to help Wittenberg Faculty teach their courses.

The Experience

After registering for Educ 200, you will be assigned to work with a Wittenberg faculty member in a STEM course utilizing LA's (that you have already completed successfully. Currently, those could be Chem 121, Data 227, Math 201, Math 202, Biol 170, Biol 180, and Esci 101, which are STEM classes many students struggle with. You will attend each class and work with the students to master the material, and also to model good behavior. This is truly a way to "Have Light and Pay It Forward."