September 21, 2012 | SharkAdmin “Why our Students Need Learning Communities” was the topic of discussion from speakers from Skagit Valley College, which has been incorporating learning communities in its classrooms since 1986. Learning communities consist of two courses that are linked together during an academic term, sharing the same group of students, and are oftentimes thematically based. Speakers Maureen Pettitt, Ph.D., and Lynn Dunlap, Ph.D., talked about how learning communities not only benefit the students in so many ways, but it also helps a college improve retention and persistence rates. If you missed the workshop, contact Allison Pyle, project director of the NVC Innovista Grant, to get a copy of the Power Point presentation the speakers provided or see their taped session. Meanwhile, here are the top five reasons why learning communities are beneficial, according to the speakers: Enhanced student engagement among peers and faculty. Persistence rates increase or students in these settings tend to stay in college and not drop out. It provides a setting for students to make connections with one another and form study groups. It helps students stay on task and collaborate with one another on assignments. The integrative assignments assist students with developing critical thinking and interpersonal skills. For more information about learning communities, go to this link or contact Allison or Joanna Saucedo at [email protected]
