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How do I get started?

Here are some points to consider when developing learning communities:

• Courses to be integrated
• Faculty to involve
• Activities or assignments to merge
• Degree of integration - model
• Co-Enrollment requirements
• Degree of co-planning, co-teaching
• Assessment strategies

Is there proof that learning communities work?

A study recently conducted by Tinto, Love and Russo (1994) revealed that students learned more, retained more, and were more satisfied with integrated courses than with the "traditional" courses. (See Tinto, V., Love, A. G. & Russo, P. (1994). Building Learning Communities for New College Students: A Summary of Research Findings of the Collaborative Learning Project. Syracuse University: National Center on Postsecondary Teaching, Learning and Assessment). The Washington Center for the Improving the Quality of Undergraduate Education, has reported similar findings.

What are the benefits to faculty?

Faculty members report that they find learning communities challenging and stimulating. It provides them an opportunity to look at the curriculum in a different way. Further, it allows for collaboration with other faculty and fosters a sense of community, both among faculty and between faculty and students.

What are the benefits to students?

Students enjoy a sense of community. They learn to think more critically, and are able to synthesize material from different disciplines. Students experience personal growth and achieve a greater appreciation for diversity, as they interact closely with other students and learn from them. Retention rates for students in learning communities has been found to be significantly higher than for those in traditional courses.

What are some obstacles to the success of learning communities?

The traditional course schedules, faculty loading, and lack of support from senior administrators appear to be the greatest barriers to learning communities. As the positive impact of learning communities continues to spread, it is expected that these will be minimized. Further, faculty have been successful in implementing learning communities, despite these barriers. Often, collaborative efforts by faculty have resulted in strategies to overcome seemingly daunting obstacles.

Where do I go to get more information?

At the Maricopa Community Colleges, there are several faculty members who are "experts" in learning communities. Please refer to the Programs directory to locate a faculty contact and his/her campus. The Washington Center for the Improving the Quality of Undergraduate Education, located at Evergreen State College in Washington, is a pioneer in the field. They have numerous publications available.