Myriad Shapes of

1
Myriad Shapes of Learning Communities
2
What is a Learning Center (LC)?

• No one right answer!!
• LCs typically involve collaborative teaching in
  some form.
• Learning-centered, which is not the same as
  student-centered

3
LC Benefits for Students

• Increase Student Involvement
• Improve Academic and Intellectual Performance
• Increase Retention
• Develop Habits Necessary for Lifelong Learning

4
LC Benefits for Faculty

• Shared ideas better curriculum
• Sometimes smaller class sizes, especially when LC
  is starting
• HOT! Re-ignite passion for teaching! HOT!

5
Forms of Learning Communities

• Guest Lectures Single Lessons/Units
• Communities Within Classes
• Informal Learning Opportunities
• Linked classes
• Fully Integrated Classes dyads, triads, tetrads
• FIGs, FLCs, and Capstones
• Coordinated Studies
• Service Learning
• Cooperative Learning and Internships

6
Guest Lectures Small Collaborations

• LCs can be very simple
• Guest lectures, including faculty and
  professionals
• Guest teaching for a class unit
• Collaborating on lessons to be used in multiple
  disciplines. (Equation exercises used in
  Chemistry and Math classes)

7
Communities Within Classes

• Develop lessons that encourage teamwork!
• Group students randomly or by common interests
  like
• Majors
• Hobbies
• Political Affiliations

8
Informal Learning Opportunities

• Not all learning takes place in the classroom!
• SPAR Projects
• International Day
• Women in History

9
Linked Classes

• Same students enroll in (at least) two classes
• Classes may have a few shared lessons
• Example Math class teaches Cartesian coordinate
  system animation class uses system to move video
  game aliens across computer screen

10
Fully Integrated Classes

• Students enroll in (at least) two classes, often
  organized along a theme. (EX Is God Dead?
  Philosophy Religion)
• The classes use the same source materials
  identical novels, identical scientific data, etc.
• All projects and exercises teach skills and
  knowledge from both disciplines
• Sometimes a single grade given to all classes

11
Fully Integrated Classes (contd)

• Two classes Dyad
• Three classes Triad
• Four classes Tetrad

12
FIGs, FLCs, and Capstones

• FIGs Freshman Interest Groups
• Two or three linked classes
• Usually organized by major
• 25 students and a mentor who promotes group
  interaction
• FLCs Federated Learning Communities
• Like FIGs but not limited to freshman
• Master Learner leads seminar

13
FIGs, FLCs, and Capstones (contd)

• Capstones
• Limited to students in the final year/semester of
  study
• Group of classes which simulate/study real-world
  issues and problems
• Student products demonstrate mastery of programs
  objectives

14
Service Learning

• Students work on community problems
• Students bring classroom skills to the real
  world
• Builds confidence and increased respect for
  education and learning
• Example English students volunteering in adult
  literacy programs.

15
Cooperative Learning and Internships

• Students work in their chosen field
• Instructors meet with student supervisors to help
  direct learning experience
• Students write reflective reports on their
  experiences
• Students learn from faculty, supervisors, and
  life experiences

16
Coordinated Studies

• Most radical form of LC Evergreen State College
• Three to five faculty, three to five courses
• Full load for all faculty involved all faculty
  meet each class session
• All lessons fully integrated No Math lessons
  or Computer Science lessons. EVERY assignment
  is cross-disciplinary.

17
Questions?