The Maine Center for Research in STEM Education (the RiSE Center) is now accepting applications for undergraduate student employment as Maine Learning Assistants (MLAs) in the Faculty Course Modification Incentive Grant – Maine Learning Assistant (FIG-MLA) Program for Fall 2022.
The FIG-MLA Program aims to strengthen instruction and learning outcomes in undergraduate courses. Instructors submit grant proposals for modifying a course to include more evidence-based and student-centered teaching strategies, such as the use of clicker questions, collaborative group work, think-pair-share, and others. Proposals include the use of undergraduate Maine Learning Assistants (MLAs) in the class or online to help instructors implement course modifications.
MLAs serve as peer instructors, facilitating group work and assisting faculty as they transform their course to incorporate more interactive-engagement and student-centered instruction. MLAs learn to use innovative, research-based instructional strategies, develop relevant pedagogical skills, deepen their content understanding, and have the opportunity to explore their interest in teaching, while participating in a vibrant community of peers and faculty.
Benefits of being an MLA include:
- Earning $12.75/hour to work four hours/week in a part-time position or seven hours/week in a full-time position assisting with instruction in FIG-MLA awarded courses.
- Assisting faculty in the class, lab, or recitation environment (in-person and/or online) and helping other students learn.
- Participating in weekly Teaching and Learning professional learning sessions held on Wednesdays either 12:00-12:50 pm or 5:00-5:50 pm (this is required and paid for new MLAs).
- Solidifying your understanding of content within the course you’re working.
- Gaining valuable teaching experience and facilitation skills useful to any of your post-graduation plans.
Eligibility: Students must be undergraduate students enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) and in a degree program. Returning and first-time MLAs must complete a new application each semester.
Join us for the MLA Open House to learn more about the program and what it means to be an MLA. The Open House will take place in-person on Wednesday April 6 at 5:00 pm in Williams Hall Room 110 and includes pizza! Registration is required before April 6 at https://bit.ly/Fall2022-OpenHouse.
The application, along with more detailed information, is available at https://bit.ly/Fall2022MLA.
Application review will begin on April 13th and continue until all positions have been filled. Please see attached flier for additional information and list of courses hiring MLAs for Fall 2022.
Feel free to share with friends! If you have any questions, please email Erin Vinson at erin.vinson@maine.edu.
