Undergraduate teaching assistants in Asia: A Singapore case study. (2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nichols, Rebecca M.; Lupascu, Massimo
• Is Part Of: International journal of educational research. Volume 104(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020
• Subjects: Undergraduate teaching assistant -- Teaching assistants -- Peer mentoring -- Collaborative learning -- Students as partners; Education -- Evaluation -- Periodicals; Curriculum evaluation -- Periodicals; Education -- Periodicals; Program Evaluation -- Periodicals; Éducation -- Évaluation -- Périodiques; Programmes d'études -- Evaluation -- Périodiques; Éducation -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Curriculum evaluation; Education -- Evaluation; Periodicals; 370.72
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijer.2020.101647
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0883-0355

Abstract

Abstract: Undergraduate teaching assistants (UTAs) have long been shown to support student learning in higher education, but most of the research on UTAs has been done in Western contexts. The aim of this study was to pilot a UTA programme within a first-year, interdisciplinary, team-based qualitative research methods course with fieldwork component at a large university in Singapore and evaluate the overall UTA experience. The findings pinpoint the UTAs' motivations to serve, self-assessed contributions to student learning, expected and realized challenges, personal benefits both sought and gained, and post-course reflections as well as suggestions for improvement in future programmes. These UTAs, like their Western counterparts, are committed and capable peer mentors who can collaborate meaningfully with instructors to enhance undergraduate learning.