Packing Slip 
item |
Preparing For and Sustaining Learning Communities at Phoenix College (Group Project) |
contact |
Elizabeth Saliba (Phoenix College) e.saliba@pcmail.maricopa.edu |
credits |
Linda Offenberg Cindy Ortega Veronique Parker Ofelia Canez Sharon Halford (Dean) Cheryl Axtell (MAT) Kelly Loucy (MAT) Jan Binder (MAT) |
college(s) |
Phoenix College |
discipline(s) |
Information Literacy as well as various other disciplines |
summary |
This project included researching learning communities,attending the Washington Center Summer Institute on Learning Communities at Evergreen State College, and discussing the implementation of learning communities at PC. |
details |
The first three weeks of my project were spent reading 29 journal articles and 4 monographs on the topic of developing learning communities as well as how libraries can integrate information literacy into the curriculum of those communities being taught within the various disciplines. From this reading, I obtained ideas regarding how to obtain support for a learning community program, the different types of communities possible, tips in developing effective communities, and what the role of the Library and information literacy can be in supporting the teaching efforts of instructors working within this environment. The reading prepared me for my participation in the Washington Center Summer Institute on Learning Communities at Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington as a member of a group of PC faculty and support staff. We attended workshops and training with the goal of drafting a plan for developing learning communities at Phoenix College. This plan was completed and submitted to our college president upon our return. The representatives of our group represented Advisement, Dean of Instruction, Student Services, the Library, Institutional Effectiveness, and teaching faculty. The group approach was extremely effective in providing various perspectives regarding our student population and what would best serve their needs. ------------------------------------------------------------ Outcomes: In a paragraph or two describe what worked well. Did you accomplish your objective(s)? Were you able to complete your summer project as written? If not, what did you modify and why? What did not go as well as expected, if anything? Were there any surprises? Note: Use the questions as guides for your outcomes. Do not include detailed list of workshops attended, speakers who presented, or a list of items you have seen, heard, or read. ------------------------------------------------------------ I did obtain the background knowledge to allow me to intelligently participate in the development of learning communities at our campus (objective 1). I also accomplished my second objective which was to learn how information literacy can play a role in the learning communities being developed. I knew very little about learning communities going in. The readings I did prepared me well for the workshops and planning which took place at the Institute. However, I was too optimistic about the number of books I could read in the allotted time (I completed 4 of 6 I had listed, along with the 29 journal articles). But, I selected the four most interesting books in my area of instruction. The final objective, that of collaborating with my PC colleagues in evaluating implementation techniques of learning communities and how to integrate such programs at PC, was also accomplished. The ideas shared and work completed as a group was one of the most stimulating experiences I’ve had in working at Phoenix College. The various perspectives gave me a more complete understanding of our students as well as our school culture, which will help me improve my instruction and the services provided to students and faculty. ------------------------------------------------------------ Professional Growth: Your own professional growth is a large part of your project. Your professional growth is important to you, your students, your college, and possibly other colleagues. How did project affect you professionally? What skills did you learn? What environments were you working in and how might your summer project influence your teaching or other responsibilities? Did you gain a different perspective? Was it professionally valuable for you? ------------------------------------------------------------ It was a great experience overall – the research for background information, the workshops/mentoring provided by the Institute, and the planning work completed by a variety of different areas supporting/providing instruction on campus. It was the most stimulating work I’ve done since coming to PC in 1998. I learned so much about our students and how learning communities can help them succeed with their built in support and integration multiple disciplines which encourage deeper learning. I also obtained many ideas and information on how to support instructors within these communities through problem based learning, how to better work with ESL students in these environments, and how to create a sense of community within these classes which help lead to greater success. Finally, I developed relationships with areas of campus I never interacted with before: Advisement, Student Services, and Institutional Effectiveness. These colleagues helped me see what it is they deal with and how they might be useful to me in my work in the library in the future. ------------------------------------------------------------ Dissemination: How will you share this information with your colleagues, department, students, or college? ------------------------------------------------------------ Within my department, I’ve already begun to discuss with faculty colleagues what I’ve learned about the effectiveness of learning communities and how we might integrate our instruction in support of these efforts. I plan on discussing the topic further at a department meeting this fall, and encouraging others to participate in developing support for this method of instruction. I also plan to discuss learning communities at our District Library Council, which is comprised of Department Chairs from all 10 colleges. I’d like to share what I’ve learned to and to learn from what others are doing at their campuses in support of these communities. Also, I have contacted a Philosophy/Reading Department Learning Community to encourage them to allow me to develop a research project for their community. They are eager to have me work with both their disciplines in developing the project and providing their students information literacy instruction in support of their course objectives. Note! As a professional courtesy to the owner of this package, if you use some aspect of this package or have some thoughts about it, please share your feedback via the comments form below. |
web links |
http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/fpg/ |
shareback |
A "Shareback" cites the places on the web that mention, reference, or use this MLX package, and "shares" that information back here (more about shareback...) Sharebacks can be generated automatically by weblog tools. |
extra |
Last modified: Aug-30-2005 Date created: Aug-30-2005 Visitor count: 1666 Dublin Core Metadata record  This package is included in the Faculty Professional Growth Summer Project Reports special collection. |
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