learning communities
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Learning Communities. Greenspun College of Urban Affairs Adam Sikula Dr. Joseph Valenzano. Why Learning Communities?. UNLV Demographics 28,000 total students Roughly 1450 live on campus in Residence Halls - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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Learning Communities
Greenspun College
of Urban AffairsAdam Sikula
Dr. Joseph Valenzano
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Why Learning Communities? UNLV Demographics
28,000 total students Roughly 1450 live on campus in Residence Halls
This equates to 5% of student body living on campus making us largely a commuter school
Approximately 70-80% of student population work full-time
We have a large transfer population; students are taught about expectations at other schools
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Why Learning Communities? University has undergone a philosophical
shift towards retention and graduation Provost Neal Smatresk and President David
Ashley
Structural Changes Creation of the position for Director of First Year
Programs and Student Support Academic Success Center
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Developing Learning Communities in GCUA
Some colleges already follow a cohort model Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, Sciences
Some colleges have to manufacture that environment for their students Academic Success Center, Fine Arts, Honors,
Liberal Arts, Urban Affairs
Some colleges are in the middle Hotel and Business
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Developing Learning Communities in GCUA
Goal of Learning Communities Connect students to the college in an intentional
way for retention purposes Increase graduation rates (6 year) of students at
the University, as well as in our College Connect students to their discipline quickly Create a support system for students
Research shows that this leads to increased student satisfaction rates
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Developing Learning Communities in GCUA
Dr. Valenzano had worked w/ LCs @ GA State Offered First-Year Experience course in Spring
2008 Changed from 2 credits to 3 credits
Four Learning Community Themes Civic Engagement Crime and Punishment Diversity Media in a Global Society
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Civic Engagement
Fall 2008 COM 100- MW 10:00-11:15 COM 101- MW 11:30-12:45 CRJ 104- TR 1:00-2:15 Any ENG 101 Section Any Math 120/124 Section
Spring 2009 ENV 101- MW 10:00-11:15 COM 115- TR 10:00-11:15 PUA 241- TR 11:30-12:45
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Crime and Punishment
Fall 2008 COM 100- MW 11:30-12:45 COM 101- TR 11:30-12:45 CRJ 104 – TR 1:00-2:15 Any ENG 101 Section Any Math 120/124 Section
Spring 2009 ENV 101- TR 10:00-11:15 SWK 101- TR 8:30-9:45 PUA 241- MW 11:30-12:45
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Diversity
Fall 2008 COM 100- TR 8:30-9:45 COM 101- MW 2:30-3:45 MFT 225- TR 11:30-12:45 Any ENG 101 Section Any Math 120/124 Section
Spring 2009 ENV 101- TR 10:00-11:15 SWK 101- TR 8:30-9:45 PUA 241- MW 2:30-3:45
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Global Media
Fall 2008 M 8:30-9:45/T 10:00-11:15
JOUR 100/100D- COM 101- MW 10:00-11:15 CRJ 104- TR 1:00-2:15 Any ENG 101 Section Any Math 120/124 Section
Spring 2009 ENV 101- MW 10:00-11:15 JOUR 101- MW 2:30-3:45 PUA 241- TR 2:30-3:45
Class times keep students on campus during peak times
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Obstacles in Setting Up Learning Communities
Recruitment of Students Letter Link on website E-mails No extra staff to assist with added work load
There is no substitution for one-on-one contact!
Faculty Participation Hard to save segments of large lecture courses for learning
community students Buy-in to the program
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Obstacles in Setting Up Learning Communities
Enrollment Management Difficulty blocking classes Uploading test scores Removing immunization holds Lines of communication
English and Math preparation for students who did not have adequate test scores
Funding for PTIs No precedent for doing them at UNLV
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Benefits of GCUA Learning Communities
Only courses from UA were included Linked only 3 courses to avoid high school
mentality and accommodate schedules We were flexible and open-minded in the
structure and suggestions for the 4th and 5th classes
Fulcrum course taught by professional staff who are versed in student development theory
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First month highlights Opportunity to meet and collaborate with publisher of
textbook Service Learning Event on October 23rd
Students formed relationships with LC students Student connections with each other extended off-
campus Opportunity to work on question for Presidential
debates with UNLV TV Filed and approved petition to accept COM 115 as
Gen Ed Logic requirement PUA Graduate Students develop Strategic Plan
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Future of GCUA Learning Communities
Include fulcrum course in all Learning Communities
Plan courses for entire year, rather than one semester at a time
Increase number of Learning Communities gradually over time
Utilize spring to continue with the theme and the major coursework
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Future of GCUALearning Communities
Keep creative themes; they are attractive to students. Possible future themes: Law and Order Rock of Love: Interpersonal Communication Going Green: Sustaining Las Vegas Live from UNLV: Media and the Message The Perfect Fit: Wellness in the Desert
Not a one-sized fits all model- Each college must personalize their LCs to their student population and develop them organically
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The Next Phase Law and Order
COM 100 ENV 101 COM 101 PUA 241 CRJ 104 CRJ 130
Rock of Love: Interpersonal Relationships COM 100 PUA 241 COM 101 COM 102 MFT 150 SWK 101
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The Next Phase Going Green: Sustaining Las Vegas
COM 100 PUA 241 COM 101 SWK 101 ENV 101 ENV 205
Live from UNLV: Media and the Message COM 100 ENV 101 COM 101 SWK 101 JOUR 100 JOUR 101
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The Next Phase The Perfect Fit: Wellness in the Desert
COM 100 CRJ 104 COM 101 ENV 101 PUA 241 MFT 225
Taught by Jay Souza from Campus Rec Utilize other professional staff on campus who
want to teach and are qualified to do so
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Future of UNLV Learning Communities
Create mutually agreed upon standards for Learning Communities Link only 3 of the 5 courses Utilize fulcrum course (not necessarily COM 100) Fulcrum course should be taught by PTIs who
are familiar with student development theory Rely on the college of Liberal Arts and Urban
Affairs to supply the GEC
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Assessment Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis
Evergreen College Model Longitudinally track students while at UNLV Examine credits earned v. credits attempted GPA comparison to non-LC students
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QUESTIONS?
THANK YOU!