U NDERGRADUATE L EARNING A SSISTANTS AS P EER M ENTORS Redesign Alliance 4 th Annual Conference; March, 2010 Presented by Dr. Megan E. Bradley

G ENERAL P SYCHOLOGY Frostburg State University (Frostburg, MD) Course enrollment: Prior: 900 seats; Now: 900 seats Comparison of structure: Prior: traditional lectures; N = 50 Now: active learning; N = 150 Status of project Pilot: Spring 2008 Full implementation: Fall 2008 – present Goals of redesign: Efficiency & effectiveness Pilot results on comprehensive final: Traditional sections: D average Redesign sections: C average

ULA R ESPONSIBILITIES Assigned 2 small groups (N = 12) of Psyc150 students for all online work Grade Psyc150 student assignments based on rubrics Online discussions: Moderate & grade using rubric Answer student s

ULA C OURSE & R ECRUITMENT Learning Mentor in Psychology Purpose Field experience - Training Review current research on peer learning & leadership/mentorship Experience as peer mentor By recruitment only Get list of Psychology majors with high GPAs Seek support from faculty members Contact students & host information meeting(s) prior to registration

L EADERSHIP IN P SYCHOLOGY C ERTIFICATE P ROGRAM 1. 6 crs: Pre-requisites 2. 3 cr: Psychology “Leadership” Courses 3. 3 cr: Learning Mentor course – Must earn a C 4. 6 cr: Electives: Step 2 or 3

ULA INTERNSHIP & PAID POSITIONS Can work as intern for our department ULA + research assistant Become Supplemental Instructor Trained by another office Run 1-3 study sessions/week Become Tutor Trained by tutoring office

I MPACT Most have been accepted into graduate programs Many have earned assistantships 3 earned national summer internships 1 at Sloop Leadership Institute In 2008, the May & December commencement speakers for College of Liberal Arts & Sciences were ULAs (& SI instructors)