Faculty FAQ

What is a typical workload for LAs?

Fall and Spring Semesters (New LAs and Returning LAs)

New LAs typically work 7 weekly hours and Returning LAs work 6 weekly hours per course:

3-4 hours – in class interacting with students

1 hour – weekly planning meeting

1 -3 hours – LA individual prep and outside class LA sessions/exam reviews

2 hours – LA seminar (New LAs only)

Note: new LAs are expected to take on less duties (e.g., outside class LA sessions) because they take the LA seminar in their first semester of LA work.

Summer A & B – 6 weeks (Returning LAs only)

LAs can work up to 20 hours per week

Summer C – 12 weeks (Returning LAs only)

LAs can work up to 10 hours per week

What course do new LAs need to take?

The LA seminar, course code SMT 3931, is a one credit course and is offered at four times:

Mondays 2:00pm-3:50pm (MMC)

Tuesdays 4:00pm-5:50pm (BBC)

Wednesdays 4:00pm-5:50pm (MMC)

Fridays 9:00am-10:50am (MMC)

Note: In some semesters, the Wednesday section is not available

Students are encouraged to enroll in the section that is most convenient for them. This course parallels the LA teaching experiences, providing the rationale behind the teaching methodologies employed in the classroom. The course includes examinations of research driving education and provokes interesting conversations on education.

How can I make sure that my LAs are paid?

If you are concerned about an LAs contract please contact John O’Mara (jomara@fiu.edu).

How should I prepare the LAs for class?

Send them the materials at least a week ahead of time and ask them to go over the content and complete the student activities, prior to the planning meeting. At the meeting, LAs take turns solving the problems, asking questions, working together and discussing. Faculty often discuss student difficulties and strategies that can be used to help students. Effective preparation is one that allows LAs to ask questions and make suggestions while developing their knowledge and skills in the discipline. It also sets the tone for the class and shows LAs how they can interact with students. In some courses, LAs actually model the interactions with students after the planning meeting which stresses the importance of setting a collaborative and inclusive meeting.

What information do I need to forward to LAs?

Please forward your class schedule, planning meeting time and information about any other responsibilities. New LAs are required to take the LA seminar the first semester they LA and, thus, need to enroll in one of the available sections.  

Can LAs work in two different courses?

Returning LAs can work in more than 2 sections and preferably in the same course (e.g., 2 sections of a lab course). Please make sure your LAs are not overcommitting themselves and stay below the allowed weekly 20 hours of on-campus employment. As an additional safeguard, while interviewing and selecting your LAs, please encourage them to reflect on their time commitment to make sure they understand the extent of the responsibility.

Where can I find more resources about the LA Program and its model?

You can find it here. For additional resources visit the Learning Assistant Alliance.