Open Access“It made me feel like a bigger part of the STEM community”: Incorporation of Learning Assistants Enhances Students’ Sense of Belonging in a Large Introductory Biology Course
Author(s) -
Thomas P. Clements,
Katherine L. Friedman,
Heather Johnson,
Cole J. Meier,
Jessica Watkins,
Amanda J. Brockman,
Cynthia J. Brame
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
cbe life sciences education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1931-7913
DOI - 10.1187/cbe.21-09-0287
Subject(s) - clarity , class (philosophy) , mathematics education , feeling , active learning (machine learning) , sense of community , psychology , computer science , biology , social psychology , artificial intelligence , biochemistry
Incorporation of undergraduate learning assistants (LAas) increased students’ sense of belonging in an introductory biology course, promoting engagement, allowing more use of active learning, and reducing feelings of isolation. These findings demonstrate that LAs can contribute to multiple elements of inclusive STEM teaching.