PLAs in the Classroom

The goals of the Active Learning PLA Faculty Mentor Program are to:

• Offer a peer support community for UGA faculty who partner with PLAs to promote student engagement, participation, and learning in their classrooms
• Provide PLA faculty with resources, consultation, and peer feedback on best practices for PLA management and mentoring (especially for those facing similar challenges, e.g., student resistance to active learning, large lectures, STEM courses, etc.)
• Encourage the PLA faculty to enhance their capacities in effectively adopting and implementing active learning and other evidence-based pedagogical practices through the assistance of PLAs in the classrooms;
• Engage the PLA faculty with scholarly publications and pedagogical-related research to enhance student learning and PLAs’ professional development in the classrooms.

The PLA Faculty Mentor Program runs parallel to the academic year for three mentors. The AL mentors typically take on the following responsibilities & opportunities:

1. PLA faculty monthly meetings (including mini-workshops)—PLA faculty mentors are required to attend monthly meetings. During each monthly meeting, they will assist with facilitating a 20-minute mini-workshop. They will answer questions and provide feedback on the effective use of PLAs in classroom teaching throughout the Spring and Fall semesters.
2. Mentor Kickoff Meeting—The CTL will schedule and host a mentor kickoff meeting in early December for new faculty mentors to connect with current faculty mentors. This event allows PLA faculty mentors to establish relationships with new and experienced mentors while reviewing the expectations and responsibilities of the role.
3. PLA Faculty Kickoff Meeting – PLA faculty mentors will meet with the current PLA faculty cohort in the PLA faculty Kickoff meeting/ Orientation (hosted by CTL and scheduled prior to the semesters). PLA faculty mentors will get to know their faculty mentees and share their experiences about working with PLAs.
4. Mentoring Sessions – PLA Faculty Mentors will provide consultative support and peer feedback to PLA faculty (one-on-one and group) on their PLA management and coaching, as well as classroom-related challenges (such as student engagement, attendance, and/or participation).
5. Peer Observation of Teaching with PLAs – Each PLA faculty mentor, with CTL’s training resources and support, will facilitate Peer Observation of Teaching with PLAs for up to two assigned faculty from the current PLA faculty cohort.
6. PLA Faculty Mentor / CTL Check-ins – The PLA faculty mentors will meet with the CTL Active Learning team once every semester to share about their engagement with faculty mentees, update the CTL on the instructional progress of the PLA faculty cohort, and address PLA development and concerns, if any.
7. PLA Faculty Handbooks and Resources – PLA Faculty Mentors will work closely with the CTL to share their observations and insights on the PLA Faculty program and contribute to the development of the UGA PLA Faculty Handbook and program-related faculty resources (e.g., resource guides and/or mini-workshops for effective PLA recruitment, preparation and coaching).
8. Active Learning Summit – PLA faculty mentors are invited to attend the Active Learning Summit and submit a proposal for a panel discussion about the PLA faculty community and best practices for PLA collaboration and management.

The Active Learning PLA Faculty Mentor Program is open to all faculty partnered with the PLA program by the Office for Student Success and Achievement (OSSA) for at least two semesters at UGA before their application. PLA faculty mentors should demonstrate a commitment to active learning and have a track record of effectively utilizing PLAs in their classrooms for active learning practices.

Applications will be evaluated based on their demonstrated dedication to PLA mentoring and coaching and innovation teaching with active learning pedagogies and their potential for positive contributions via PLA-related mentorship among their fellow faculty.

The call for applications for the 2025 Active Learning Faculty Mentor Program is currently open and will close at 5:00 p.m. on October 21, 2024.

For additional information, contact Associate Director for Active Learning Initiatives Ching-Yu Huang at [email protected].

2026-2027 PLA Faculty Mentor Program Coming this Year!