Learning Assistants Program

Learning Assistants (LAs) are trained peer tutors who can assist students in the learning process. They collaborate with faculty mentors as a team to advance students’ critical-thinking and problem-solving abilities. Because LAs have mastered key study strategies themselves, they can be excellent sources of advice, both in and out of the classroom.

Learning Assistants are also invaluable in the classroom: assessing learning styles and presenting materials in a variety of ways; strengthening the relationship between students and faculty; and suggesting possible solutions, directions, and strategies that can help students develop greater academic independence.

UA’s Learning Assistants Program is unique as compared with other Supplemental Instruction models because of the intensive academic training of the Learning Assistants. UA’s program is certified at the highest (Master) level by the College Reading and Learning Association, the nationally recognized association for learning assistance programs.

Desired program outcomes include the following: increased retention, improved numbers of students who are in good academic standing, increasing credit hour production to facilitate faster progression toward degree completion, and improved student GPAs

Results of programmatic assessment include the following:

Tutees who benefited from LAs’ interactions earned significantly more credits per semester than students without access to LAs.
These same students had similar, if not higher, retention rates in every semester than did non-served students
Students who accessed an LA had a higher end-of-term GPA and cumulative GPA than non-served students
Initial analyses indicate a higher percentage of tutees achieved good academic standing versus students who did not seek LC assistance
Satisfaction surveys demonstrated that 58% of the tutees would choose to take another class served by an LA; 77% indicated the LA Program should have a high priority at The University of Akron