Role of Teaching Assistants in Synchronous Smart Classrooms

Information and communications technology is enriching the teaching environments in higher education. Synchronous smart classroom is a typical example, where the teaching and learning situation in one smart classroom can be transmitted to others in real-time. However, without the support of teaching assistants (TAs), instructors can hardly organize the lecture successfully. To understand and clarify the role of TAs in synchronous smart classrooms, we conducted quantitative and qualitative research. The results showed that TAs mainly played as specialists before class, coordinators in class and promoters after class. These findings will contribute to teaching and learning in synchronous smart classrooms.