Building Communities of Active Learners

Southwest Regional Learning Communities Conference
February

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What Learning Communities Can Accomplish: Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment
University of Northern Colorado
Phyllis Endicott , Sharon McMorrow

Over the past 10 years the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) has created a variety of learning communities which provide support for entering students. By linking content classes, a one-credit new student seminar, and a strong academic advising program, these communities have proven effective in promoting the satisfaction, persistence, and success of approximately 650 participants per year. Presenters will explain the structure of UNC's learning communities (five different types) and then describe the assessment strategies used to evaluate the programs. Each fall, coordinators obtain survey data to assess students' perceptions of their learning community experience and the institution as a whole. In addition to these qualitative responses, UNC's Office of Institutional Research and Planning provides quantitative student outcome information each semester. These reports summarize student grade point averages, hours earned, and rates of return to UNC. Minority and high-risk students are included as subgroups in the data, and learning community students' performance is compared to the performance of other freshmen. Finally, during spring 2001, focus groups were conducted by UNC graduate students to strengthen the qualitative aspect of program assessment. Results from all assessment approaches will be summarized, and presenters will explain how these results have been used to gain institutional support and to improve and expand UNC's learning communities. The presenters will encourage audience participation and allow ample time for questions and for discussion of nuts and bolts programming issues, including the importance of thorough and thoughtful assessment.
    contact information:psendic@bentley.unco.edu