Instructional Assistants Information

CHSS assigns Instructional Assistants (IA) to specific classes depending on specific criteria. On this page, you will find answers to our most frequently asked questions about having an IA in your classroom. Having an IA is a very rewarding experience as it gives faculty the opportunity to increase access to students, mentor students, and overall support student success in their classes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is IA?
  • An IA is known as an Instructional Assistant. This is the undergraduate student term for a Teaching Assistant (TA) - which is a graduate student position.
  • There are two types of Instructional Assistants (IAs). These are instructional Assistants 1 (IA I) and Instructional Assistants II (IA II)
    • Instructional Assistant I. The main goal of an IAI is to support faculty teaching the class by helping with the process of objective grading (Objective grading refers to grading questions that have one predetermined answer such as multiple-choice questions, True/false questions, etc.). IAIs are not allowed to do any form of subjective grading (subjective grading refers to assessments like essays, papers, etc). IAIs also support faculty and students through engaging in peer mentoring, assisting with in-class learning communities, communicating with students, monitoring student progress, tracking missing assignments, and providing early outreach.
    • Instructional Assistant II. IAIIs differ from IAIs because they could have the added responsibility of grading subjective assessments in addition to objective assessments. IAIIs also support faculty and students through engaging in peer mentoring, assisting with in-class learning communities, communicating with students, monitoring student progress, tracking missing assignments, and providing early outreach.

How Do I Get an IA?
  • Faculty must meet one of four requirements to have an IA.
    • Your course enrollment is a minimum of 61 students.
    • The course you have been assigned to teach is known for having a high failure rate (also known as a DFW).
    • You have an accessibility requirement that has been documented through HR.
    • Your course has been approved through the Dean’s Office.
  • If at least one of the four requirements are met the IA Coordinator is the one you will need to connect with to request an IA be assigned, or hired on, for your course.

I Have an IA Assigned to My Class, What Can I Ask Them To Do?

  • An IAI May Do The Following…

    Can… Cannot…
    • Grade objective quizzes/exams per instructor supplied key
    • Attend class
    • Take class notes
    • Engage in peer mentoring
    • Assist with in-class learning communities
    • Communicate with students face-to-face, through Canvas, or through work email about course-related questions
    • Tutor during office hours
    • Post grades, and announcements on Canvas
    • Monitor student progress, track missing assignments, and provide early outreach
    • Update/maintain course websites, blogs, or social media pages
    • Lead a class review session (no more than 2 times during the semester and requires instructor approval)
    • Accurately input time into TIMS (if compensation is allowed)
    • Lead breakout discussions sections and facilitate group work
    • Lecture within the official class time
    • Create questions for exams or quizzes
    • Grade subjective learning assessments (e.g. essay tests, papers, or any assignment requiring decision making)
    • Provide feedback on homework or other assignments
    • Interpret instructor grades without instructor permission
    • Discuss grades with students
    • Discuss students enrolled in the course with anyone but the instructor
    • Release student information
    • Provide final grades
    • Have access to final grade sheets/data
    • Use students’ personal information to contact students on non-course-related issues
    • Date/marry students in the course
    • Use the position of Instructional Assistant I to exploit or harass students in the course
    • Fail to grade assignments within 2-3 weeks of submission date
    • Work more hours than agreed upon

  • An IAII May Do The Following…

    Can… Cannot…
    • Grade objective quizzes/exams per instructor supplied key
    • Grade subjective assessments
    • Attend class
    • Provide feedback on homework or other assignments
    • Take class notes
    • Engage in peer mentoring
    • Assist with in-class learning communities
    • Communicate with students face-to-face, through Canvas, or through work email about course-related questions and/or assignments
    • Tutor during office hours
    • Post grades on Canvas
    • Post announcements on Canvas such as study tips (requires instructor approval)
    • Monitor student progress, track missing assignments, and provide early outreach
    • Update/maintain course websites, blogs, or social media pages
    • Lead a class discussion/lecture (no more than 4 times during the semester and requires instructor approval)
    • Accurately input time into TIMS (if compensation is allowed)
    • Lead breakout discussions sections and facilitate group work
    • Create questions for exams or quizzes
    • Interpret instructor grades without instructor permission
    • Discuss grades with students on assignments that they did not grade
    • Discuss students enrolled in the course with anyone but the instructor
    • Release student information
    • Provide final grades
    • Submit early alerts
    • Have access to final grade sheets/data
    • Use students’ personal information to contact students on non-course-related issues
    • Date/marry students in the course
    • Use the position of Instructional Assistant II to exploit or harass students in the course
    • Fail to grade assignments within 2-3 weeks of submission date
    • Work more hours than agreed upon

What Are My Responsibilities?
  • As the faculty in charge of your IA(s), you are responsible for the following
    • Your IA(s) undergo rigorous training prior to joining your class. In the training, they are introduced to TIMS (the tool to track their workload), they have taken the FERPA and Title IX training, and were introduced to their roles and responsibilities. As the instructor in charge, you may need to ascertain that they have enrolled and completed the IA training course.
    • As the instructor in charge, you are to train them on your specific expectations, such as grading rubrics, and policies. Please remember that your expectations need to align with the IA(s) roles as identified by the college
    • Your IA(s) are first and foremost students at UVU. As their instructor, you can help mentor them in the role of an educator and prepare them to be successful in their work and life [see Vision 2030].

What Training Do the IA(s) Receive?
  • Your IA(s) undergo rigorous training prior to joining your class. In the training, they are introduced to TIMS (the tool to track their workload), pass the FERPA and Title IX training, and are introduced to their roles and responsibilities. They are also introduced to some teaching methodologies and concepts. You can request to see the training course and other instructional material by contacting your IA Coordinator
  • IA(s) do not receive training on course content, rubrics specified for your course, your course policies, and the expectations you hold them to.

Apply for an IA