For detailed information in Norwegian

Video about LAOS

Registration for LAOS Autumn 2026 is open in the NTNU Course Portal from 10–24 August.

Target group

LAOS is NTNU’s official training programme for teaching assistants and is offered to teaching assistants in all courses across all faculties and departments at the campuses in Trondheim, Gjøvik, and Ålesund. As a general rule, the training should be completed during the first semester in which the teaching assistant is employed. LAOS for Teknostart is conducted every spring in Trondheim for teaching assistants working in connection with Teknostart. Through LAOS, teaching assistants receive support in developing their understanding of the teaching assistant role and the teaching activities they are part of. The programme also includes a course-specific training component carried out by the academic environment in which the teaching assistant is employed. Registration for the regular LAOS programme (Norwegian and English) and LAOS for Teknostart opens in the NTNU Course Portal in the weeks prior to course start.

Doctoral candidates, research assistants, and other employees who wish to receive pedagogical training are recommended to apply for admission to Uniped modules in the NTNU Course Portal rather than enrolling in LAOS.

Course description

The LAOS programme is designed for learning assistants who engage in regular dialogue and interaction with students in academically oriented teaching and study activities. The programme aims to develop learning assistants’ understanding of their role and their capacity for reflection, while providing an introduction to key pedagogical and didactic concepts, as well as theories related to teaching, supervision, learning, group work, feedback, and the learning environment. The programme seeks to promote an understanding of both general and discipline-specific approaches to learning, with dialogue and academic guidance serving as its foundation.

Core modules – Autumn 2026

Trondheim
Course participants choose two dates in Canvas (one from each core module). English-language modules are marked.

Core module 1 (09:00–12:00)

Monday 31.08
Tuesday 01.09
Wednesday 02.09
Friday 04.09
Monday 07.09
Tuesday 08.09
Wednesday 09.09
Thursday 10.09 – English
Friday 11.09

Core module 2 (09:00–12:00)

Monday 14.09
Wednesday 16.09
Thursday 17.09
Friday 18.09
Monday 21.09
Tuesday 22.09
Wednesday 23.09
Thursday 24.09 – English
Friday 25.09

Gjøvik (09:00–12:00)

Core module 1: Monday 14.09
Core module 2: Tuesday 15.09

Ålesund (09:00–12:00)

Core module 1: Tuesday 22.09
Core module 2: Wednesday 23.09

Delivery in Gjøvik and Ålesund is subject to a minimum of 10 registered participants.

Scope and structure

The course comprises 20 hours and consists of three parts:

1. Core modules (8 hours)
The core modules are mandatory and are conducted as in-person seminars organized by Uniped. They include pedagogical lectures, discussions, role-play, and small-group activities related to the teaching assistant’s practice, as well as independent work before and between modules.

2. Elective modules (6 hours)
Teaching assistants complete two online elective modules of 3 hours each in Canvas. Each module consists of a knowledge test, a short reflective essay, and anonymous feedback on fellow students’ reflections. The modules provide in-depth exploration of different teaching and supervision methods. The following elective modules are offered in autumn 2026:

• Giving feedback
• Supervision of exercises
• Supervision of seminars
• Supervision of lab exercises
• Supervision of academic writing
• Individual supervision
• Supervision of problem-based learning
• Digital learning

3. Course-specific follow-up (6 hours)
The course-specific follow-up is carried out at the department where the teaching assistant is employed and consists of:

• Start-up meeting (1 hour) to clarify expectations
• Course-specific training (4 hours) related to the course
• Final evaluation (1 hour) with reflection and feedback

Participants from the Department of Computer Science (IDI) register for the course-specific follow-up via a separate registration.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion and passing of LAOS, the participant is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The participant:

• has basic knowledge of pedagogical principles and learning
• has insight into teaching and learning methods within their own discipline
• is familiar with key principles of assessment and feedback
• understands the importance of a safe and inclusive learning environment

Skills

The participant:

• can contribute to a positive and inclusive learning environment
• can provide constructive feedback and guide students in academic learning processes
• can use questions and dialogue to promote learning and reflection
• can handle minor challenges and conflicts in a constructive manner

General competence

The participant:

• understands the teaching assistant role and their responsibility in students’ learning processes
• can reflect on their own role and practice
• is aware of ethical issues, professional boundaries, and diversity in student groups
• can identify their own development needs and further develop their pedagogical competence

Approval requirements

1. Approved attendance at both core modules
2. Approved elective modules (2 modules)
3. Approved course-specific follow-up at the department

No exemptions are granted from the attendance requirement for the core modules.
Modules that are not passed must be retaken in a later semester.

Alternative approval

LAOS may be approved based on Practice 1 and 2 (PPU4611/PPU4612) and Pedagogy 1 and 2 (PPU4601/PPU4602) in the teacher education programme for grades 8–13 at NTNU. Training in Experts in Teamwork (EiT), military officer training, or purely theoretical pedagogical studies does not qualify for exemption or approval.

Contact

Course coordinator: Marte Therese Jakobsen /marte.t.jakobsen@ntnu.no
Administrator: Mona Haugnes /laos@ipl.ntnu.no