Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the many individuals who contributed to the development, both technically and conceptually, of this monograph. Our work with learning communities was an outgrowth of a Maricopa County Community College District grant project. Much of our initial understanding of learning communities, including the "Cactus" framework for identifying critical design elements of a learning community, came from this project. We want to acknowledge director Barbara Shovers and coordinating members Gwen Argersinger, Lillian Barker, Connie Cagley, Laura Helminski, Sally Rings, and Nancy Siefer. This group also provided ongoing support to campuses throughout the Maricopa District in the development of learning communities. We also want to thank Suzann Shepard, Linda Sullivan, and other members of the Maricopa Ocotillo Committee on Learning Communities for their support.

We wish to thank Alan Levine, Richard Rasmussen, Bill Tse, and Tony Zeka for their technical expertise in the development of computer graphics which represent our conceptual frameworks as well as Naomi Okumura Story, Liz Warren, and especially Tina Emmons for their work in the final preparation of the monograph.

© May 1997 Maricopa Center for Learning and Instruction