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K-State Today

February 12, 2025

Teaching and Learning Center’s Professional Development Series

Submitted by Ashley Schiffer

As part of the Teaching and Learning Center's Professional Development Series, James "JT" Laverty, associate professor of physics, will present "Engaging Students as a Catalyst for Improving Courses: The K-State Learning Assistant Program" from noon to 1 p.m. today, Wednesday, Feb. 12, via Zoom.

Laverty will present and discuss the learning assistant model and the physics department's learning assistant program. This program, which is scalable and can be expanded to other courses and departments, can support course transformations and instructional improvements in large enrollment courses. It does this by hiring and training undergraduates to support student learning in these courses. Laverty will highlight the benefits for instructors, students and the learning assistants themselves. Current learning assistants will also be available to address and answer questions about their experiences with the program.