The Center for Science and Mathematics Education (CSME) is pleased to present the CSME Exchange, an interactive brown bag discussion for UofU faculty, instructors and staff. The next CSME Exchange is:

Building and Sustaining Learning Assistant Programs

Chandra Turpen
University of Maryland

Thursday, Oct 5, 2017
INSCC room 345
12-1pm

Lunch will be provided!

This presentation will introduce faculty to a peer educator model called the Learning Assistant Model.  The Learning Assistant (LA) Model uses the transformation of STEM courses as a mechanism for improving the quality of STEM education for all undergraduates.  The transformation of courses can be accomplished in many different ways, but often involves creating environments in which students can interact with one another, engage in collaborative problem solving, and articulate and defend their ideas. To accomplish this, undergraduate LAs, or peer educators, are hired to facilitate small-group interaction in these courses. I will describe successful outcomes that have been documented in LA programs across the country and what is involved in building and sustaining an LA program.

Chandra Turpen is a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland, College Park with the Physics Education Research Group.  She completed her PhD in Physics at the University of Colorado Boulder.  Chandra’s work involves designing and researching contexts for learning within higher education. At the University of Maryland, Chandra directs the Learning Assistant (LA) program aimed at recruiting and preparing talented science majors for careers in teaching, improving the quality of undergraduate science education, and transforming departmental cultures to value research-based teaching.

Join us for an informal discussion and exchange of ideas!

Vist our CSME Exchange page for future meeting times and topics.