Learning Communities and Developmental Education 

If you are familiar with learning communities, you are probably already aware that learning communities are an innovative and rewarding way to teach and help students learn.

If you are not sure what a learning community is, here’s a brief definition:
A learning community is a combination of two or more courses from different disciplines (occasionally courses are at different levels within the same discipline). While the level of integration varies among types of learning communities, most are planned by faculty with a common theme and learning objectives. 

If you look at the current schedule of learning communities at Delta, you can see examples of course combinations: www.delta.edu/learningcommunities

Why teach in a learning community?
The first, and most important reason, is that learning communities have consistently been shown to improve student success in many areas, including retention, skill improvement, knowledge enhancement, and overall student satisfaction.

Learning communities are also a terrific way to get to know colleagues from other divisions and disciplines within the college. Working with colleagues will help you see your own approaches to student learning from a different perspective. Connecting your course to one from another discipline offers opportunities for creative approaches to the subjects and skills that you teach.

Learning communities for developmental students
Studies by acclaimed scholars like Vince Tinto have demonstrated that developmental students, in particular, can benefit from the integrated approach to learning and extra support that learning communities provide.

At Delta, we offer learning communities that combine developmental English, math, and science courses with college level courses. In fall semester 2009, we are piloting two truly unique integrated studies learning communities.  These 12 credit learning communities combine courses from multiple fields, focus on science/health or humanities career tracks, and include direct support from counselors and Teaching/Learning Center staff.

Professional development in learning communities
All faculty are encouraged to consider developing new learning communities.
In winter semester, we offer ED 394, theory and pedagogy of learning communities.
Delta founded the National Learning Communities Conference, which is now the leading conference for all aspects of learning community pedagogy and development. A consortium of six community colleges and universities share the hosting of this conference. In November 2010, Delta will host the conference in Bay City.

See more information on faculty resources and opportunities related to learning communities

Please contact Drew Colenbrander, Associate Professor of English at ajcolenb@delta.edu, or extension 9165 if you have any questions or would like to discuss your future with learning communities.

_________________________
Delta College
Mary Beth Looby, Director
Developmental Education, Room A-118
1961 Delta Road
University Center, MI 48710
Phone: 989-686-9616
email: mblooby@delta.edu

Linda Krukowski, Office Professional
Developmental Education, Room A-118
1961 Delta Road
University Center, MI 48710
Phone: 989-686-9586
email: lindakrukowski@delta.edu