Who are Math LAs
A Math Learning Assistant is an undergraduate student who works alongside faculty members and graduate TAs to support classroom instruction, facilitate small-group activities, and promote collaborative problem-solving during lectures and evening problem-solving sessions. Math LAs are a diverse group of students from across the university, representing a wide range of academic programs including Earth and Mineral Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Education, Liberal Arts, Information Sciences and Technology, Business, the Division of Undergraduate Studies, Science, and Engineering.
Faculty Expectations and What to Expect When Working with a Math LA
Math LAs are not experts, and supervising faculty should help mentor their Math LAs and support them in their roles. However, Math LAs are expected to:
- Attend class and help facilitate in-class activities. During in-class activities, Math LAs should:
- Engage with students and monitor progress on in-class worksheets.
- Proactively ask students if they need help or have questions.
- Provide guidance to students by asking leading questions.
- Host evening LA sessions and help students with provided worksheets.
- Have efficient and effective communication with their supervising faculty (includes email, Teams, and any other university-approved communication).
- Attend weekly prep LA meetings (20–30 minutes long) with their supervising faculty.
Pedagogy/Math LA Training
First-time Math LAs are enrolled in a pedagogy course that provides training on principles and strategies for effective STEM learning, but with the focus on mathematics and mathematics learning. The pedagogy training course focuses on educational themes that include but are not limited to:
- Active learning in mathematics
- Group work in mathematics
- Productive struggle in mathematics
- Discourse
- The use of representations
During the pedagogy course, all assignments and discussions are group-based. For example, every meeting, Math LAs engage in activities to help them generate “outlines” that focus on a mathematics problem from the course they are assigned as a Math LA. These outlines can be an itemized list, concept map, or diagram. We encourage them to use any format the group sees fit; however, their outline must attempt to connect the theme from readings to their experience as a Math LA, and their outlines must:
- Discuss the mathematical ideas and concepts in the problem.
- List ways they may use to facilitate students’ work.
- Give an outline of ideas students can follow to help them solve the problem.
- In their own words, list and link at least one core idea from each reading to how it may help them in their role as a Math LA.
We emphasize to the Math LAs that the goal of this activity is not to teach mathematics but to facilitate students’ work as they solve problems. Their goal is to think about how ideas from the readings can support you as a Math LA.
- Discuss the mathematical ideas and concepts in the problem.
- List ways they may use to facilitate students’ work.
- Give an outline of ideas students can follow to help them solve the problem.
- In their own words, list and link at least one core idea from each reading to how it may help them in their role as a Math LA.
Math LAs also work towards a final project in the form of a Poster Presentation. Each group selects a specific mathematical concept in their math course assigned to LA. The groups must generate a thorough and coherent poster presentation that is grounded in the course readings and the selected mathematical concept to:
- Describe misunderstandings and struggles that students might face (use specific examples from when helping students).
- Describe any form of representations and applications that could help facilitate students’ learning.
- Describe how to help a struggling student or group of students with such a concept. As a Math LA, give specific examples from your experiences either in class or during your evening sessions.
- Reflect on their overall experience as Math LAs. What aspects of being a Math LA do you enjoy, and what do you feel have been the most challenging in your role thus far?
