National Summer Institute on Learning Communities June 2011

1. National Summer Institute on Learning Communities June 2011 Presenter: Ana Torres-Bower Faculty Resource, Cerritos College

2. Integrating Infrastructure: The Work of the LC Coordinator and Coordinating Committee National Summer Institute on Learning Communities , June 2011

3. National Summer Institute on Learning Communities , June 2011 Cerritos College Learning Communities Program A Learning Community is like…. … building a house, if many people cooperate the product will be of a better quality and would be finished sooner.” … hearing a symphony, the fullness of the project is able to be heard by all.” … climbing a mountain; it is rough at first, but when you finish and reach the top, what a wonderful sight and feeling.”

4. National Summer Institute on Learning Communities , June 2011 A Short Story About Cerritos College’s LCP • Initiated and supported through the funds of a Title III- federal grant in 1995 • It was institutionalized in the Fall of 2000 at the completion of the federal grant • The LCP has the following team: director, faculty facilitator, FYE coordinator, P/T counselor, leadership team and clerical support • Other institutional elements: a website; an information center in the Admissions building, students events (beginning and end of the semester); faculty recruitment and professional orientation; official presentations as needed • It schedules an average of 20 learning communities every semester among four tracks: Developmental Education Track; G.E. Track; Transfer Track; and First-Year Experience Track • Founding Member of the California Learning Communities Consortium (CLCC)

5. National Summer Institute on Learning Communities , June 2011 Cerritos College Learning Communities Program Learning Communities Program Director Math LCP Coordinator First Year Experience Counselor/Coordinator LCP Faculty Facilitator LCP Leadership Team LCP Program Assistant FYE Staff LCP Center Staff

6. National Summer Institute on Learning Communities , June 2011

7. National Summer Institute on Learning Communities , June 2011

8. National Summer Institute on Learning Communities , June 2011 LC Program Outcomes • Students will demonstrate integrated knowledge and modes of thinking from two or more disciplines. • Students will work in a collaborative environment as a valued member of a team. • Students will integrate into the college culture.

9. National Summer Institute on Learning Communities , June 2011 LC Program Activities • Participation in grant with Syracuse University: Pathways to Student Success: The Impact of Learning Communities on the Success of Academically Under-Prepared College StudentsPew Foundation Grant (2005-2007) • Research findings [Partial list] • Increase the number and variety of learning community programs for students taking basic skills and/or ESL non-credit bearing courses, particularly at community colleges. • Develop learning community initiatives that include math, reading, and writing and extend beyond a semester or quarter long experience. Efforts should be made to assign the same professors through the sequence of linked courses. • Expand formalized advising and academic support service programs. • Access without support is not opportunity

10. National Summer Institute on Learning Communities , June 2011 LC Program Activities Cont. • Fall 2006 – Spring 2008 • National Project on Assessing Student Learning in Learning Communities • Coordinated by - The Washington Center at The Evergreen State College • Fall 2007 – Fall 2008 • LCP faculty Development Project, “Developing Learning Community Students as Integrative/Interdisciplinary Thinkers” • Supported by the college’s basic skills initiative. • Basic Skills Grant Objectives: • To expand LC faculty understanding about integrative learning • To provide guidance and time to intentionally design interdisciplinary assignments that allow for integrative learning, • To make available time and training for the assessment of the quality of student integrative achievement

11. National Summer Institute on Learning Communities , June 2011 Special Feature at Cerritos College LCP: Integrated Student Services • Facilitated Enrollment • Courses selected to meet students’ academic goals • Discovering and learning to use campus resources • Scholarships • Student Celebrations: Beginning, middle and end of the semester events • Counseling Orientations

12. National Summer Institute on Learning Communities , June 2011 Special Feature at Cerritos College LCP: Affording Students a Learning Community Experience • LC Linked • LC by Agreement • First Year Experience (FYE)

13. National Summer Institute on Learning Communities , June 2011 Special Feature at Cerritos College LCP: First Year Experience (FYE) • is an innovative approach to learning designed for student success where counseling and guidance is central • links two or more classes together through relevant interdisciplinary issues and questions • is a group of first-year college students and faculty working collaboratively in a friendly, supportive environment

14. National Summer Institute on Learning Communities , June 2010 Other Special Features at Cerritos College LCP • The program is moving from theme based LC’s to integrated/interdisciplinary LC’s based on a public issue/problem or critical question. This notation is a major pedagogical change in Learning Communities. • The LCP will continue preparing faculty to assist students in becoming integrative and interdisciplinary thinkers. • Similar to the past academic year new LCP instructors will learn how to identify evidence of interdisciplinary thinking through the method known as, Collaborative Assessment Protocol for Interdisciplinary Student Work . • Sample of student work, protocols forms, Public Issue charts and individual sessions for LC teams will be available to LC teams.

15. National Summer Institute on Learning Communities , June 2011 Fall 2011 Learning Communities Schedule of Classes How to Register in a Learning Community My Cerritos Log on to www.cerritos.edu, select MyCerritos, and follow the directions. Important, please note, to enroll in a learning community you must enroll in all courses in the learning community before exiting MyCerritos. Please call the Learning Communities Program Center or visit the LCP website for additional information on the enrollment process. For more information about enrolling in the Learning Communities Program or for a complete description of each learning community please check the Internet at www.cerritos.edu/lcp/ or call (562) 860-2451, ext. 2782.

16. National Summer Institute on Learning Communities , June 2011 Fall 2011 Learning Communities Schedule of Classes Cont. Developmental Education Track: These courses will help you attain the academic skills necessary to prepare you for advanced courses or to develop your career goals and objectives.

17. National Summer Institute on Learning Communities , June 2011 Fall 2011 Learning Communities Schedule of Classes Cont. Developmental Education Track CONT:

18. National Summer Institute on Learning Communities , June 2011 Fall 2011 Learning Communities Schedule of Classes Cont. Developmental Education Track CONT:

19. National Summer Institute on Learning Communities , June 2011 Fall 2011 Learning Communities Schedule of Classes Cont. Developmental Education Track CONT:

20. National Summer Institute on Learning Communities , June 2011 Fall 2011 Learning Communities Schedule of Classes Cont. General Education Track: Many of these courses fulfill General Education and/or transfer requirements for Cerritos College, CSU and UC. Check the catalog or with a counselor for more specific information.

21. National Summer Institute on Learning Communities , June 2011 Fall 2011 Learning Communities Schedule of Classes Cont. Transfer Track: These courses fulfill transfer requirements for CSU and/or UC. Check the catalog or with a counselor for more specific information.

22. National Summer Institute on Learning Communities , June 2011 Fall 2011 Learning Communities Schedule of Classes Cont. First-Year-Experience Track: The First-Year Experience Program (FYE) is a special part of the Learning Community Program. Students are enrolled in a full semester’s work at one time. These courses are designed to provide students with a strong start in college. Students who are interested in this program should call (562) 860-2451, ext. 2782 for more information. To register for the First-Year Experience Program, students must call (562) 860-2451, ext. 2782 or see a counselor. All First-Year Experience students are required to attend an information session and Fall Orientation on Thursday, August 11 from 5 -7 p.m. in LC 155. Students will meet their instructors and classmates. They will also receive important information about their classes, parking, and books. To qualify for full-time status, FYE students will need to enroll in an additional course(s) to complete the full schedule of 12 units. This requirement may be met by adding mathematics, reading, or another G.E. course(s). Recommendations for courses to take in addition to each House are listed below.

23. National Summer Institute on Learning Communities , June 2011 Fall 2011 Learning Communities Schedule of Classes Cont. First-Year-Experience Track:

24. National Summer Institute on Learning Communities , June 2011 Fall 2011 Learning Communities Schedule of Classes Cont. Learning Communities Classes: Learning communities involve the intentional creation of class pairs or clusters around a common theme or concept. Typically, the same group of students is co-enrolled in two or more courses, usually from different disciplines—for instance, history and art, English and career guidance, political science and philosophy. Students enroll in both courses but receive a separate grade for each one. Course instructors integrate their syllabi, encouraging students to gain a deeper understanding of each course, even as they discover connections between the two. Classroom activities, tests, assignments, field trips, research projects, and educational technology are used to engage students in their own learning, as well as provide them with valuable "real-world" skills. Perhaps more importantly, the learning community model promotes student-centered learning, with an emphasis on an enriched classroom environment. It promotes greater intellectual growth and genuine mastery of course content through collaborative activities, frequent feedback, and increased student-teacher and student-student interactions. Traditional lecturing is minimized; active learning and thoughtful integration of content are maximized. Research indicates learning communities promote student achievement, retention, and progress toward degree completion. Faculty benefit from professional development and training, fresh approaches to teaching, and collaboration with colleagues. Finally, the college profits from institutional research and development that is intimately tied to teaching/learning outcomes.

25. National Summer Institute on Learning Communities , June 2011 How to Keep Your LC Program Current – Conventional WisdomA Guided Conversation About Your LCP in Relation to Students, Faculty and Staff at Your Institution In reference to your LCP, think about a specific issue/challenge/project/problem you wish to address.Possible topics for your consideration: Student Services AreaRecruitment Financial Aid Counseling Faculty Student Assessment FacultyRecruitment Professional Development Stipends StudentsAcademic/Social/Cultural Support Academic Progress Early Intervention Curriculum New Courses “Flavored” courses Types of LCs/FYE Scheduling of FYE/LCsSchedule of Classes Enrollment/Registration ProceduresInstitutional CulturePublic Relations Academic and Faculty Committees Upper Administration BudgetProgram Assessment Other

26. National Summer Institute on Learning Communities , June 2011 How to Keep Your LC Program Current – Conventional WisdomA Guided Conversation About Your LCP in Relation to Students, Faculty and Staff at Your Institution • Provide three significant elements of your project (Strength) • Indicate some of the challenges or questions • relevant to your specific issue (Weakness) • Give an account of your resources • Proposed Plan and Time Line for your LC/FYE Initiative • Intended Outcomes: in two years’ time, what are you hoping to accomplish with your LCP Initiative?

27. National Summer Institute on Learning Communities , June 2011 For more information contact: Ana Torres-Bower Cerritos College, Learning Communities Program torresbower@cerritos.edu