Education Sciences (Jan 2022)

A Process Evaluation of a Learning Community Program: Implemented as Designed?

  • Tonya Scott Lanphier,
  • Robert M. Carini

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12010060
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
p. 60

Abstract

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Learning communities can be useful to counter some of the challenges encountered by first-semester students as they transition to college. This 2-year process evaluation examines the launch of a campus-wide learning community initiative for developmental reading students at a community college in the USA. Students, instructors, and administrators were interviewed about the implementation of the program, and program-related materials were reviewed. Findings suggested ways to enhance the effectiveness of learning communities of the linked-course variety through program implementation that is more faithful to key design aspects. Suggestions include (1) implement team-teaching across linked courses; (2) carry out an integrated curriculum across courses; (3) provide in-depth and continued instructor training as well as specialized resources; (4) expand support services available to students and require them to use at least some; and (5) create tools/methods for instructors and administrators to regularly assess processual aspects rather than just program outcomes.

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