Information for Faculty

What are Learning Community Courses?

• Courses that combine at least two different classes in different disciplines or areas in order to show the connections between them.
• Courses that are taught by at least two instructors, each from the different disciplines or areas included in the course.
• Courses in which students and teachers form a community of learners, working together to ask questions and discover answers.

Why should you teach a Learning Communities Course?

• You can interact with other students and faculty and be part of a closely-knit, supportive community of learners.
• You can work with students on activities and projects.
• You use a variety of teaching and learning, including discussions, activities, projects, field trips, and lectures.
• Students and teachers work closely together, contributing what they already know and seeking new knowledge.

How can you plan a Learning Communities Course?

• Find a colleague in another division or area to work with.
• Talk to other faculty who have taught Learning Communities.
• Contact Learning Communities Director Drew Colenbrander, S028, 686-9165 (from Midland/Auburn, 495-4000 ext. 9165), or via e-mail.
• Plan your course.
• Submit a Learning Communities Course Proposal Form (PDF)

Attend a Learning Communities Conference

• We encourage you to plan ahead for the annual National Learning Communities Conference cohosted by Delta College and five other colleges and universities. See the Learning Communities annual conference link on this webpage for current conference information. 

Professional Development Opportunity

• The 2-credit hour course, EDU 394:  THEORY & PEDAGOGY OF LEARNING COMMUNITIES, will be offered regularly.  Consult the current class schedule book for details.  Designed for faculty, future teachers, and administration, this class will examine learning community,s theories and models.  Participants will:
  • Compare, contrast, and evaluate various definitions, models, and conceptual frameworks of learning communities
  • Design a learning community

  For more details of the course, link to EDU 394.

  For more information contact Drew Colenbrander at 686-9165 or ajcolenb@delta.edu

List of Online Resources