learning communities an overview. what are learning communities?

Learning Communities

An overview

What are Learning Communities?

Learning Communities

Two or more faculty members collaborating together to link their class

assignments, themes, or activities

Goals of LC’s

• Provide students with greater curriculum coherence

• Provide both students and faculty increased intellectual interaction

• Assist in boosting success and retention rates

What are the benefits?

Great for Colleges, Students, and Faculty

• LC students had higher success, retention, persistence, transition rates, and transfer rates than non- LC students

• 83% of students in an LC for the first time reported that they would enroll in another

• LC instructors report that teaching in an LC is “the most rewarding teaching any of us have ever done”

Learning Community Data

• Larger percentage successfully completed the course with grades A,B,C or Credit (60% vs. 43%)

• Lower percentage withdrawal rate (18% vs. 34%)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Success Withdrawal

LC

NLC

Ongoing Benefits

• More students transitioned to the next level of English

• More students successfully completed the next level of English

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Transition Success

LC

Non LC

Overall Learning Experience

Learning Community

Non-Learning Community

Retention Rate 81.5% 66.5%

Mean GPA

(semester)

2.24 1.99

Proportion of units completed

77.6% 66.2%

Persistence 70.4% 66%

Pass Rates at the SDCCDMesa College

Math 95 & Personal Growth 127

100% and 83% Pass Rate!

English 51 & Personal Growth 127

85% and 83% Pass Rate!

What are some possibilities for Miramar?

Types of Learning Communities

• Fundamental Learning Communities

• Transfer Learning Communities

• Thematic Cluster Learning Communities

Fundamental LC’s

• Target audience: “at risk” student populations

• Aim to ensure student’s improvement in basic skills

• Common links are between basic English and Math classes with Personal Growth classes

Fundamental LC Samples

LCOMM 090

Math 096:Int. Algebra/Geometry

PersonalGrowth 140

LCOMM 050

English 051:Basic Comp.

English 056:College Reading

Transfer

• Target audience: students who wish to transfer to CSU or UC programs

• Encourages discovery of similarities between GE required classes

• Encourages study groups with common goals

• Courses are offered in “bundles” that satisfy GE Breadth or UC requirements

CSU Transfer LC Sample

English 101:Reading/Composition

Philosophy 100: Logic & Critical Thinking

Speech 103:Oral Communication

LCOMM 100A

Thematic Cluster

• Target audience: students who hope to gain higher understanding within one particular theme or focus

• Honors students, special themes, special needs

• Links are made between a variety of disciplines

Thematic Cluster

Health 101:Health and

Lifestyle

BIO 105:Principles of

Biology

FILI 100:Filipino

American Experience

ANTH 103:Cultural

Anthropology

Successful Implementation

• Leadership for Project• Faculty Recruitment• Faculty Support• Involvement of

Advisors/Counseling• Publicity/Student

Recruitment

• Scheduling Coordination

• Registration/Class Schedule

• Assessment Evaluation

References

Jensen, S. (2000). The pedagogy of possibilities: developmental education, college-level studies, and learning communities. Learning Communities Monograph Series, 106-107.

Lenning, E. (1999). The powerful potential of learning communities: Improving education for the future, p. iv.

Richards, E. (2006). The Learning communities experience: Bridging the gap. San Diego Mesa Community College. San Diego, CA.