Impact of the Learning Assistant Experience in a

High School Physics Classroom

Susan Nicholson-Dykstra, Joshua H. Cuchiaro, Valerie K. Otero

Streamline to Mastery Program, University of Colorado at Boulder
AAPT / PERC 2011

My School
predominantly Latino
low proficiency on Colorado math and
science assessment

My Students
4 Conceptual Physics Classes
n = 113 students
37% English Language Learners
33% Free & Reduced Lunch

LA Model of Experiential Learning in the University

Learning Assistants (LAs):
Undergraduate students who facilitate small-group interactions in
large-enrollment courses

Practice

Content

Pedagogy

Previous Research in Physics Education:

Impact of LA program at University Level: [1-3]

LAs demonstrate higher performance in advanced courses
LAs show significant shifts in attitudes about learning science

Predicted Outcomes of an LA program in High School

Increased content understanding

Increased agency
Increased awareness of teaching and learning processes

1
2
3

Gray, KE, Webb, DC and Otero, VK. 2011. Effects of Learning Assistant Experience on In-Service Teachers Practices.
PERC Proceedings/Submitted poster.
Otero, V., & Nathan, M. (2008). Pre-service elementary teachers conceptions of their students prior knowledge. Journal
of Research in Science Teaching, 45 (4), 497-523.
Otero, V., Pollock, S., & Finkelstein, N. (2010). A Physics Departments Role in Preparing Physics Teachers: The
Colorado Learning Assistant Model. Accepted to American Journal of Physics, doi: 10.1119/1.3471291

Modified LA Model in the High School

High School LAs

in conceptual physics
course study content
(Newtons Laws,
energy, electrostatics)

Content

High school LAs create

a 10-minute lesson plan
for students, practice with
peers, then implement
lesson in elementary
classroom.

Practice

Pedagogy
High school LAs
learn backward
lesson design and
formative
assessment.

Preparation:
Establish an Elementary School Partnership
2nd grade team
similar demographics
higher poverty

Practice: LA Experience
LAs practice pedagogy by creating lesson plans and scripts

Practice:
Implement lesson plans
(2 field experiences per team)

Debrief experience
written reflections
summarizing discussions
(video)

Research Methods:
Data
Collection:

Lesson
Design

Teacher
Observation

Student
Reflection

Data
Analysis:

Comparison of 1st
and 2nd
Field
Experiences

Results:

Preliminary
Findings

Preliminary Findings: Student Reflections

8 Emergent Themes

First Experience

Second Experience

First Experience

Second Experience

Preliminary Findings: Student Survey

Self-Assessment of Impact on Community
100

% of students (n=55)

90
80

Students Reporting That They

Have Made a Positive Impact on
their Community

70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

Before LA Experience

After LA Experience

Conclusions and Implications

LA experience yields positive impact on High School Students:
Increased metacognition and awareness of learning process
Increased sense of positive impact on the community

Conclusions and Implications

Elementary Teacher Feedback:

Increased excitement for science content
Teacher revisions of science instruction

Next Steps:
Improve Structure of LA Experience:
LA awareness of elementary classroom rituals and routines

Alternative (non-teaching) roles during LA experience

Student-designed content assessments

Acknowledgements:
I would like to thank:
Members of the Streamline to Mastery program at the University of
Colorado, Boulder

Arturo Vasquez and the Second Grade Team at our partner school
Funding Sources:
NSF grant DUE 937941
ING Unsung Heroes Award

PER at Colorado
Faculty:
Melissa Dancy
Michael Dubson
Noah Finkelstein
Valerie Otero
Kathy Perkins
Steven Pollock
Carl Wieman (on leave)
Postdocs/ Scientists:
Charles Baily
Danny Caballero
Stephanie Chasteen
Julia Chamberlain
Kelly Lancaster
Laurel Mayhew
Emily Moore
Ariel Paul
Rachel Pepper
Noah Podolefsky
Benjamin Zwickl

Grad Students:
Stephanie Barr
Kara Gray
Lauren Kost-Smith (PhD May 11)
May Lee
Mike Ross
Ben Spike
Ben Van Dusen
Bethany Wilcox
Teachers / Partners / Staff:
Shelly Belleau
Jackie Elser
Trish Loeblein
Susie Nicholson-Dykstra
Sara Severence
Emily Quinty
Mindy Gratny, Kate Kidder
John Blanco, Sam Reid
Chris Malley, Jon Olson
Oliver Nix, Nina Zabolotnaya