Information for Faculty

Are you interested in increasing student engagement and positively impacting learning outcomes in your courses? Florida Atlantic has selected a new Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), Education Reimagined, focused on building a strong, robust Learning Assistant (LA) Program. Join us!  

Transform your course to incorporate active/collaborative learning facilitated by trained undergraduate peers, called Learning Assistants (LAs). One-time stipends are awarded to selected faculty for participating in faculty development activities and redesigning a course to include the Learning Assistant (LA) Model. 

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN REDESIGNING A COURSE?

2025-2026 General Timeline:

  1. Information sessions: Sept. 4, 11 a.m.; Sept. 8, 3:30 p.m.; Sept. 19, 12 p.m.;  Sept. 25, 4 p.m. Sign-up form . 
  2. Open call for course redesign:  Application form closes September 26, 2025. 
  3. Selection: late November. 
  4. LA Faculty Learning Community (LA FLC): Following Spring.

LA FLC consists of faculty development activities surrounding course redesign and implementation of the essential elements of the LA Model

  • Teach redesigned course with LAs: Following academic year. 
  • Provide assessment data and continuous improvement plan: After each semester teaching with LAs.

Education Reimagined: Stipend Guidelines 
 

FAQs

WHAT IS A LEARNING ASSISTANT (LA) PROGRAM?
A Learning Assistant (LA) Program supports LAs, faculty and students by transforming courses so they are more closely aligned with research based instructional strategies. 
At Florida Atlantic, this may look slightly different depending on the class, as the courses are individually redesigned by our faculty, with support of LA professionals. 

To schedule a time to see the LA program in action, email qep@fau.edu. 

WHO ARE LEARNING ASSISTANTS (LAS)?
Learning Assistants are undergraduate students who, through the guidance of weekly preparation sessions and a pedagogy course, facilitate discussions among groups of students in a variety of classroom settings that encourage active engagement.

WHAT ARE REDESIGNED COURSES?
Redesigned courses that utilize Learning Assistants focus on intentional materials that facilitate active student engagement. In addition, faculty design ways for LAs to promote interaction and collaboration among students. 
Previously redesigned courses

WHAT IS A TYPICAL LA WORK/SCHOOL EXPERIENCE?
LAs are undergraduate students, typically enrolled full-time for the semester. New LAs must complete a pedagogy course within their first semester. The typical time for this is two hours a week (class and homework included). All LAs meet with their LA professor at least one hour a week. All LAs are expected to attend each lecture every week (3-credit class is 3 hours a week; 4-credit class is 4 hours a week). Many LAs support students outside the classroom in 'office hours'. The hours vary depending on LA experience level, additional support available across campus and faculty preference. LAs may also be involved in many events related to the University's Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP).  

For questions, please contact qep@fau.edu