Learning Communities Advisory Committee

Faculty Flex

January 15, 2010

Agenda

• LCAC Vision• What is a Learning Community?• Successful Program Models• Assessment Systems• How to get Involved• Next Steps• Q & A

Vision

• Learning Communities: – Support student/faculty/staff

interaction– Help students adjust both

academically & socially to college life

– Improve student retention & success

What are Learning Communities?

1. Student Cohorts/Integrative SeminarPrograms in which a small cohort of students enrolls in larger classes that faculty do not coordinate. In this model an additional integrative seminar is used to build student connection.

2. Linked Courses/Course ClustersTwo or more classes linked thematically or by content which a cohort of students takes together. In this model, the faculty do plan the program collaboratively.

3. Coordinated StudyCoursework that faculty members may team teach. The course work is embedded in an integrated program of study.

Potential Learning Community

Themes

• Social Change • Health & Wellness • Global Awareness • Environmental Stewardship • Science & Society • Visual Arts • Business Interest • Communications (interpersonal and

global)• Other ideas?

The Underprepared Report

• Completed in 2003– Barbara Morrison, English faculty – Pam Kessler, English faculty– Sandy Vrem, Math faculty

• Research, Recommendations, and Road Map for Promoting the Success of the Underprepared Students at CR

The Underprepared Report

• Recommendations– Linked courses – Integrate counseling/advising into the

classroom– Tutoring component– First Year Interest Groups (FYI)

• The Write Stuff: FYI with English, journalism, or creative writing.

• Art Beat: FYI for visual & performing arts• Movers & Shapers: FYI for athletes, health

and fitness interests

EOPS Learning Communities

• Established Fall 2007• Linked English 350 with GS 150

for EOPS students• Other EOPS Learning

Communities– English 350, GS 150, CIS 100– English 150 with Sociology 1 – English 150 with CIS 1

EOPS Learning Community

• Most recent success !– 80% retention (second highest)– 75% passed competency exam– 76% passed the course (highest)

• 93% students were very satisfied with the EOPS LC

• 87% agreed that EOPS LC helped them complete the semester

Successful Programs

• Evergreen State College, WashingtonLearning Community National Resource

Centerhttp://www.evergreen.edu/washcenter/

project.asp?pid=73

• El Camino Collegehttp://www.elcamino.edu/studentservices/

fye

• De Anza Community Collegehttp://www.deanza.edu/linc/faculty/

overview.html

Areas to Assess

• Student satisfaction • Student engagement in learning

activities & college community• Development of skills and knowledge

pertinent to course outcomes • Disciplinary integration• Advising and counseling component• Retention, success, and persistence

Assessment Measures

Qualitative and Quantitative

• Student Skills Inventories• Pre and Post Tests• Focus Groups• Surveys• Exit Interviews

How do I get Involved?

Applications for a Learning Community Proposal are available at: www.redwoods.edu/

learningcommunities

Spring 2010 Next Steps

• Proposal review• Provide budget needs to

appropriate committees• Create a network of integrated

courses & programs• Discuss compensation options• Develop student & program

learning outcomes• Establish assessment systems

Questions?LCAC Membership:

• Keith Snow-Flamer • Peter Blakemore: Faculty member • Anita Janis: Dean of Del Norte Campus • Lisa Liken: Faculty Counselor EOPS • Melissa Green: Dean of Student Development • Rachel Anderson: Dean of Academic Affairs • George Potamianos: Faculty member • Justine Shaw: Faculty member • Jennifer Bailey: Coordinator of Advising • Polly Johns: ASCR • Cody Anderson: ASCR • Sheila Hall: Assistant Director of EOPS/CARE