Slide1: Learning Community Models May 2002


What Matters in College?: 2 What Matters in College? Student - Student interaction Student - Faculty interaction Student oriented faculty Discussing racial/ethnic issues with other students Hours studying Tutoring other students Socializing with diverse students Student body with high socioeconomic status Institutional emphasis on diversity Faculty positive about general education Students value altruism and social activism Astin, A. W. What Matters in College: Four Critical Years Revisited. 1993.


Factors Negatively Associated with Positive Student Outcomes: 3 Factors Negatively Associated with Positive Student Outcomes Astin, A. W. What Matters in College: Four Critical Years Revisited. 1993. Hours spent watching television Institutional size Use of teaching assistants Full-time employment Lack of community among students Living at home Participating in inter-collegiate athletics Peers oriented toward materialism


Recent Trends in Educational Reform Efforts: 4 Recent Trends in Educational Reform Efforts Moves from student-centered to learning-centered educational thrust Embraces disciplinary and multi-disciplinary perspectives Includes a variety of ways of constructing and demonstrating meaning and understanding Fosters a collaborative learning environment Increases emphasis on active and collaborative learning Incorporates rationally-based and values-based knowledge Encourages civic and service components in educational agenda


LearningCommunitiesA variety of approaches that link or cluster classes during a given term, often around an interdisciplinary theme, that enroll a common cohort of students. This represents an intentional restructuring of students' time, credit, and learning experiences to build community, and to foster more explicit connections among students, among students and their teachers, and among disciplines.5: Learning Communities A variety of approaches that link or cluster classes during a given term, often around an interdisciplinary theme, that enroll a common cohort of students. This represents an intentional restructuring of students' time, credit, and learning experiences to build community, and to foster more explicit connections among students, among students and their teachers, and among disciplines. 5


Usually, teachers teach separate courses to separate sets of students: 6 Teacher A Class 1 Class 2 and students experience their separate courses in unrelated fragments Teacher D Teacher C Teacher B Teacher A Class 3 Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 Student Usually, teachers teach separate courses to separate sets of students From Courses


Slide7: 7 By intentionally pairing or clustering courses into programs, both teachers and students experience a more coherent and enriched teaching and learning environment. Class 1 Class 2 Teacher A Teacher B To Programs


Effective Learning Communities: 8 Effective Learning Communities Effective Learning Communities have a number of distinctive features: They are usually smaller than most other units on campus. They have a sense of purpose. They help overcome the isolation of faculty members from one another and from their students. They encourage faculty members to relate to one another both as specialists and as educators. (In effect this encourages the development of new faculty roles.) They encourage continuity and integration in the curriculum. They help build a sense of group identity, cohesion, and 'specialness.' Source: Involvement in Learning, 1984.


Learning Communities Address the Needs for:: 9 Greater intellectual interaction student student student faculty faculty faculty Curricular coherence: reinforcement and/or integration of ideas Understanding issues which cross subject matter boundaries Ways to facilitate the move toward a richer, learning-centered environment Active and collaborative learning Exploring and understanding diverse perspectives Student retention and progress toward degree Faculty development Low-cost methods for doing the above Learning Communities Address the Needs for:


Learning Communities Invite an Array of Pedagogical Approaches:: 10 Learning Communities Invite an Array of Pedagogical Approaches: Problem-Centered Learning Discussion Groups andamp; Seminars Writing and Speaking Across-the-Curriculum Ongoing Reflection, Metacognitive Activities, Self-evaluation Peer Teaching Lectures and Demonstrations Experiential Learning Labs and Field Trips Collaborative/ Cooperative Learning


Learning Communities are Found in:: 11 Learning Communities are Found in: Developmental studies Freshmen/First Year initiatives Strategies for coherence in general education Writing programs: teaching writing in the context of a subject or an interdisciplinary theme Study in a minor (Women’s Studies, Environmental Studies) Study in the major Graduate school programs


Others may who participate in LC teaching teams besides faculty members:: Others may who participate in LC teaching teams besides faculty members: Learning support specialists Academic advisors Residence life staff Librarians Computer technology specialists Students! Both undergraduate and graduate students frequently serve as teachers, peer advisors and facilitators 12


Learning Communities Can Be Structured As:: 13 Programs in which a small cohort of students enrolls in larger classes that faculty DO NOT coordinate. Intellectual connections and community- building often take place in an additional integrative seminar. Programs of two or more classes linked thematically or by content, which a cohort of students takes together. The faculty DO plan the program collaboratively. Programs of coursework that faculty members team-teach. The course work is embedded in an integrated program of study. shading represents the student cohort Learning Communities Can Be Structured As: +


“F.I.G.’s” Freshman Interest Groups: 14 'F.I.G.’s' Freshman Interest Groups Goal: The creation of small effective academic learning communities in a large college setting. Vehicle: Triads of courses offered around an area of interest, an interdisciplinary topic, or courses related to a specific major. Each F.I.G. has a peer advisor, a more advanced student who convenes the group weekly to form study groups, to learn about campus resources, and to plan social gatherings. Pre-Law F.I.G. American Government + Intro. to Philosophy: Ethics + Fundamentals of Public Speaking + F.I.G. Discussion Group


Examples of F.I.G.’s: 15 Examples of F.I.G.’s THE AMERICAN STATE Introduction to Politics Survey - U.S. History Interdisciplinary Writing F.I.G. Discussion Group THE SPECTRUM OF Psychology as a Natural Science BEHAVIOR Intro. to Anthropology Composition: Social Issues F.I.G. Discussion Group PRE-ENGINEERING Psychology w/Analytic Geometry General Chemistry Composition: Exposition Engineering Careers F.I.G. Discussion Group


Variation on F.I.G.’s: Interest Groups in the Major: 16 Variation on F.I.G.’s: Interest Groups in the Major The University of Washington has developed Transfer Interest Groups, to build coherence and community for transfer students in large university departments. The peer advisor is a graduate teaching assistant. SOC 352: The Family + SOC 450: Political Economy of Women and Family in the 3rd World + SOC 499: Sociology Interest Group Seminar Sociology Transfer Interest Group


Linked or Paired CoursesGoal: Curricular coherence and integrating skill and content teaching: 17 Two courses for which students co-register. Generally, faculty work to coordinate syllabi and assignments, but teach their classes separately. Often, a writing or speech course is linked to a lecture-centered course, or a mathematics course is linked to a science course. Linked or Paired Courses Goal: Curricular coherence and integrating skill and content teaching


Examples of Paired Courses: 18 Examples of Paired Courses Introduction to Public Speaking American History Beginning Calculus College Physics College Study Skills Introductory Biology Technical Writing Intro. to Environmental Science Women and Fiction Philosophy: Ethics


A developmental linked class structure at De Anza College: A developmental linked class structure at De Anza College Our Times and Our Lives 9 units Contemporary Literature 4 units 50 students Preparatory Reading andamp; Writing Skills 25 students (Section A) 5 units Preparatory Reading andamp; Writing Skills 25 students (Section B) 5 units Literature 9:30-10:20 Monday through Thursday Reading andamp; Writing (A) 10:30-11:20 Monday through Friday Reading andamp; Writing (B) 11:30-12:20 Monday through Friday 19


Learning Clusters: Goal: Coherence, thinking and writing skills in a community setting : 20 Learning Clusters: Goal: Coherence, thinking and writing skills in a community setting All day-time enrolled students in Liberal Arts AA Programs take one of these 12-credit clusters. Cluster enrollment is limited to 30 students. Students travel from class to class as a self-contained group. English 101 (3 credits) + Writing the Research Paper (2 credits) + Integrated Hour (1 credit) Intro. to Philosophy (3 credits) + Intro. to Art (3 credits) Intro. to Social Sci. (3 credits) + Work, Labor andamp; Business in American Lit. (3 credits) 'Freedom and Seeing' 'Work, Labor and Business in American Life' OR LaGuardia Community College


A Learning Cluster Schedule:Work, Labor and Business in American Society : 21 A Learning Cluster Schedule: Work, Labor and Business in American Society


Slide22: 22 Learning Cluster Procedures Each spring faculty create cluster teams in consultation with and coordination with the Liberal Arts Chairperson and the Office for Academic Affairs Cluster Faculty Team Members review 'Cluster Principles' review syllabi of previous clusters share tentative thematic course outlines discuss course descriptions, performance objectives share intentions on text purchases decide on avenues of communication share term paper suggestions, teaching approaches, pedagogical ideas exchange office hours and location, phone numbers Clusters are evaluated each quarter. The evaluations are shared with the cluster faculty and their chairs. Evaluations are centrally filed. LaGuardia Community College


Course clusters:Freshman Learning Communities atGeorgia State University: Course clusters: Freshman Learning Communities at Georgia State University GOAL: formative, integrative academic experience for entering students in their first semester 30 Freshman LCs each fall, enrolling about 750 entering students Courses that fulfill state-wide core curriculum requirements and that address a common theme Course clusters are proposed by teams of faculty through an annual RFP process 23


Communication, Media and SocietyFreshman Learning Community atGeorgia State University: Communication, Media and Society Freshman Learning Community at Georgia State University 14 Semester Credits * New Student Orientation - 3 * English Composition I - 3 Film: History of the Motion Picture - 3 Speech: Media, Culture and Society - 3 * Gender, Class and Ethnic Differences - 2 *In these small classes the learning community group is a 'pure group.' 24


Learning Community InitiativeIowa State University: Learning Community Initiative Iowa State University LCs as a vehicle for institutional commitment to undergraduate education Strong partnership of student- and academic affairs Works within highly decentralized university structures Multiple models, developed by each college and individual departments in some cases 45 different LCs enroll about 2,000 students Student peer mentors a strong program feature Strong commitments to faculty development and assessment and peer mentors Freshman LCs (mostly course clusters) in colleges of: Liberal Arts and Sciences Engineering Education Design Business Agriculture 25


New Student HouseLaGuardia Community College: New Student House LaGuardia Community College Basic Writing 4 hours + one supplemental hour in writing lab (no credit) Basic Reading 4 hours + one supplementary hour in reading lab (no credit) One college 3 credits: in oral communications, level class intro. To computers, creative drama, intro. To business - whatever works in terms of enrollment and faculty interest. Freshman 1 credit - Usually taught by a counselor: Seminar Includes college orientation, study skills, test-taking skills, self-evaluation. Each semester the 'house' enrolls about 50 students, with two sections or 'apartments' of about 25 students. 26


New Student ESL HouseLaGuardia Community College: New Student ESL House LaGuardia Community College English as a 6 hours Second Language Basic Reading 4 hours + one supplementary hour in reading lab (no credit) One college- 3 credits: in oral communications level class . Freshman 1 credit - Usually taught by a counselor: Seminar Includes college orientation, study skills, test-taking skills, self-evaluation. The ESL 'House' has three apartments: i.e. three sections of 25 students. 27


Team-Taught Learning Communities: 28 Team-Taught Learning Communities Two, three or more courses fully team-taught as an integrated program. Goals: More intensive student immersion in interrelated topics, a theme or question Faculty participating as learners as well as teachers The blurring of boundaries between disciplines or courses in favor of a larger whole The faculty development that emerges from collaboratively planning, delivering and reflecting on a coordinated program


Team-Taught Course Pairs: 29 Team-Taught Course Pairs Intro. Chemistry Intermediate Algebra + Computer Science Political Science + History of Mexico Cinema 'Chemath' 'Politics andamp; the Internet' 'Mexico: Facts andamp; Fiction'


Team-Taught Triads of Courses: 30 Team-Taught Triads of Courses The Quanta Program at Daytona Beach Community College A year-long program involving 3 courses (9 credits) each semester. Fall 'The Quest for Identity: the Search for Identity and Intimacy' Spring 'Threshold to the Millennium: Towards a Better World' English 1 (Composition) + Psychology of Adjustment + Humanities 1 English 2 (Literature) + General Psychology + Humanities 2


Team-Taught Course Schedule for the Quanta Program: 31 Team-Taught Course Schedule for the Quanta Program 3 faculty members 65-75 students 9 hours of semester credit


Coordinated Study Model: 32 Coordinated Study Model Faculty teams of 3-4 co-plan the coordinated study around an over-arching theme, or around related content/skills subjects Generally, faculty members teach only in the coordinated study, and students register for it as their entire 'course load' Therefore, scheduling of class time becomes quite flexible: opportunities for BLOCKS of time for lectures, discussions, field trips, workshops Frequent use of 'book seminars,' collaborative learning, and student projects The learning community is engaged 'full-time' (15-18 credits) in interdisciplinary, active learning around themes. Faculty development occurs through co-planning and team-teaching across disciplinary boundaries.


Coordinated Study Model Typical Schedules: 33 Coordinated Study Model Typical Schedules


Coordinated Study Model Typical Schedules: 34 Coordinated Study Model Typical Schedules Problems Without Solutions?


The importance of context:Coordinated Studies Themes: 35 The importance of context: Coordinated Studies Themes 'Ways of Knowing: How We Choose What to Believe' History, Philosophy, Literature, Drama 'The Televised Mind' Mass Media, Sociology, Freshman Writing 'Problems Without Solutions?' Sociology, Economics, History, Politics, Religion 'Looking at the Renaissance: Power and the Person' Music, History of Art, Drawing, Freshman Writing 'The Science of Mind' Neurobiology, Cognitive Psychology, Philosophy of Mind and Language


Enrollment in Team-Taught Models: 36 Enrollment in Team-Taught Models Team-taught models usually enroll students at a ratio of 20-25 students per faculty member. So, a team-taught program with two teachers enrolls 40-50 students. This program would be comparable to 4 conventional classes, 2 classes per teacher:


Enrollment in Team-Taught Models: 37 Enrollment in Team-Taught Models A team-taught model with three faculty members would enroll 60-75 students. The program would be comparable to 9 conventional classes: 3 classes for each teacher:


Situating LCs in appropriate curricular arenas: Situating LCs in appropriate curricular arenas 1. Identify goals for a learning community initiative for students for faculty for the curriculum for the institution 2. Consider areas of need: first-term-in-college adjustment needs and developmental opportunities high-risk courses gateway courses and pre-requisites critical distribution courses platform courses for specific majors courses that are or could be arenas for bridging skills/ content, theory/practice, liberal arts/professions across-curriculum initiatives 3. Consider building on existing nests of interest and opportunity: areas of faculty interest, strength, innovation your college’s distinctive mission and location fit with and ability to enhance other initiatives already underway on the campus 38


Choosing the appropriateLC Model: Choosing the appropriate LC Model What are student enrollment patterns? usual course loads (full-time, part-time) scheduling patterns, needs kinds of courses taken (general education, honors, developmental, gateway courses into majors) What are staff and faculty opportunities and constraints? usual teaching loads staffing patterns and sizes of key courses reward systems 'riskiness' history of collaboration interest in deep collaboration history of academic/student affairs partnerships current advising and placement systems What is your institutional milieu? history of conversations and initiatives around strengthening teaching and learning genuine interest in fostering institutional commitment toward cross-disciplinary and cross-unit collaboration willingness, flexibility and ability to support change, especially to change planning practices, and resource development commitment to focused arenas of change fit with other institutional priorities 39 38


Support forLearning Community Programs: Support for Learning Community Programs Support varies from nothing, to all of the following. Support in start-up years is especially critical. 1. A clear locus of leadership, with a steering committee. 2. Planning support for faculty and staff members planning stipends released time before or during the LC offering curriculum planning retreats 3. Faculty development for LC locatable, accountable site for faculty development curriculum planning retreats annual LC institutes various skill-building and sharing opportunities 4. Reduced enrollment for pilot LC classes 5. Special publicity for LC offerings 6. Support (or released time) for LC coordinator 7. Assessment/evaluation support 40


Are Learning Communities Effective?: 41 Student outcomes Student retention, achievement Student involvement, motivation Time to degree, degree completion Intellectual development Faculty outcomes Faculty development in terms of expanded repertoire of teaching approaches, revised course content, and new scholarly interests. Faculty mentoring Faculty engagement with beginning students, with general education offerings. Institutional outcomes Learning communities as 'skunk works,' i.e., Randamp;D sites for curriculum development, and the strengthening of teaching and learning Are Learning Communities Effective?


Successful Learning Community Implementation: 42 Successful Learning Community Implementation Successful Learning Community implementation requires extensive cross-unit coordination: Assessment Evaluation Program Delivery Registrar Registration Publicity Student Recruitment Involvement of Academic Advisors Goals for the LC Effort Faculty Recruitment Faculty Development Support LC Offerings Models Planning Calendar Scheduling - Time - Rooms Locus of Learning Community Leadership


Critical Elements of the Change Process: 43 Critical Elements of the Change Process Impetus for Change Administrative Support Leadership Team Comprehensive View/Shared Vision Strategic Plan Inclusive Planning Student-Focused Goals Faculty Involvement Project Director Information Networks Resources Incentives and Rewards