PLAdawgs Program

BY SURAYA MOHIDUl – What are PLAs?

A peer learning assistant (PLA) is an undergraduate student who helps students in a course in which they were previously successful. PLAs are used in STEM-based courses that implement the flipped classroom/active learning technique. PLAs are unlike other models of peer facilitation, like tutors or Supplemental Instructors (SI’s), because they are present during the lectures that the students attend. This allows the PLAs to be familiar with the lecture material and the students themselves, which help the PLAs build a more personal relationship with the students. This is most beneficial in lectures with a class size of at least a hundred where students often times feel intimidated to ask their professor questions. 

Revised PLA Program

In the spring semester of 2018, PLAs were known to be Study Group Facilitators (SGFs). These study group facilitators are different from PLAs now in the sense that they looked over their own group of students on a weekly basis. Since then, the PLA program was revised to have PLAs during lectures, recitation sessions, which are smaller-sized classes with supervising faculty, and for PLAs to have their own study group. Because of the various ways that the PLAs were used, it was hard to pinpoint any improvement with the implementation of peer learning assistants. Because of this, the program was defunded for Fall 2019, but a revised version is coming back in Spring 2020. In the Spring 2020, the newly named PLAdawgs Program will limit its PLAs to be in the lectures of certain 1000- and/or 2000-level approved STEM courses. 

Why you should apply to become a PLA

As a former peer learning assistant, I believe that this program is a great opportunity for any student who has taken and succeeded in any of the approved courses. Being a PLA allowed me to move outside my comfort zone as it was a little uncomfortable helping students in a subject that you had learned only a semester or two ago. However, because of that, I was more inclined to do independent work so that I would be prepared for my students. This, in turn, allowed me to master the material better for my own sake considering much of what we learn as STEM majors is used in future courses. Not only that, but being a peer learning assistant is beneficial as you gain work experience and develop personal relationships with the supervising faculty of the courses you are assisting for. To be eligible to become a PLA, you would have to generally get a B or higher in the course you are applying for. If interested, you can apply on the PLA website during the Fall 2020 application period. If accepted, you are required to attend every regularly scheduled class meeting, take a UNIV course (if you have not already) to teach you how to be a successful PLA, and attend weekly meetings with your supervising faculty to discuss content ahead of class. Additional information about the PLAdawgs Program can be found here. 

Editor: Muhammad Siddiq

Photography Source: https://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/teaching-careers/graduate-teaching-assistant/