Learning Communities Advisory Committee

1. Learning Communities Advisory Committee Faculty Flex January 15, 2010

2. Agenda • LCAC Vision • What is a Learning Community? • Successful Program Models • Assessment Systems • How to get Involved • Next Steps • Q & A

3. Vision • Learning Communities: • Support student/faculty/staff interaction • Help students adjust both academically & socially to college life • Improve student retention & success

4. What are Learning Communities? • Student Cohorts/Integrative SeminarPrograms in which a small cohort of students enrolls in larger classes that faculty do not coordinate. In this model an additional integrative seminar is used to build student connection. • Linked Courses/Course ClustersTwo or more classes linked thematically or by content which a cohort of students takes together. In this model, the faculty do plan the program collaboratively. • Coordinated StudyCoursework that faculty members may team teach. The course work is embedded in an integrated program of study.

5. Potential Learning Community Themes • Social Change • Health & Wellness • Global Awareness • Environmental Stewardship • Science & Society • Visual Arts • Business Interest • Communications (interpersonal and global) • Other ideas?

6. The Underprepared Report • Completed in 2003 • Barbara Morrison, English faculty • Pam Kessler, English faculty • Sandy Vrem, Math faculty • Research, Recommendations, and Road Map for Promoting the Success of the Underprepared Students at CR

7. The Underprepared Report • Recommendations • Linked courses • Integrate counseling/advising into the classroom • Tutoring component • First Year Interest Groups (FYI) • The Write Stuff: FYI with English, journalism, or creative writing. • Art Beat: FYI for visual & performing arts • Movers & Shapers: FYI for athletes, health and fitness interests

8. EOPS Learning Communities • Established Fall 2007 • Linked English 350 with GS 150 for EOPS students • Other EOPS Learning Communities • English 350, GS 150, CIS 100 • English 150 with Sociology 1 • English 150 with CIS 1

9. EOPS Learning Community • Most recent success ! • 80% retention (second highest) • 75% passed competency exam • 76% passed the course (highest) • 93% students were very satisfied with the EOPS LC • 87% agreed that EOPS LC helped them complete the semester

10. Successful Programs • Evergreen State College, Washington Learning Community National Resource Center http://www.evergreen.edu/washcenter/project.asp?pid=73 • El Camino College http://www.elcamino.edu/studentservices/fye • De Anza Community College http://www.deanza.edu/linc/faculty/overview.html

11. Areas to Assess • Student satisfaction • Student engagement in learning activities & college community • Development of skills and knowledge pertinent to course outcomes • Disciplinary integration • Advising and counseling component • Retention, success, and persistence

12. Assessment Measures Qualitative and Quantitative • Student Skills Inventories • Pre and Post Tests • Focus Groups • Surveys • Exit Interviews

13. How do I get Involved? Applications for a Learning Community Proposal are available at: www.redwoods.edu/learningcommunities

14. Spring 2010 Next Steps • Proposal review • Provide budget needs to appropriate committees • Create a network of integrated courses & programs • Discuss compensation options • Develop student & program learning outcomes • Establish assessment systems

15. Questions? LCAC Membership: • Keith Snow-Flamer • Peter Blakemore: Faculty member • Anita Janis: Dean of Del Norte Campus • Lisa Liken: Faculty Counselor EOPS • Melissa Green: Dean of Student Development • Rachel Anderson: Dean of Academic Affairs • George Potamianos: Faculty member • Justine Shaw: Faculty member • Jennifer Bailey: Coordinator of Advising • Polly Johns: ASCR • Cody Anderson: ASCR • Sheila Hall: Assistant Director of EOPS/CARE