Gavilan College is among 19 colleges and universities across the
nation selected to participate in a National Learning Communities
Project aimed at strengthening innovative approaches to college
teaching and learning.
Gavilan College is among 19 colleges and universities across the nation selected to participate in a National Learning Communities Project aimed at strengthening innovative approaches to college teaching and learning.
These colleges have been experimenting with “Learning Communities,” programs that enroll groups of students in pairs or clusters of classes, often organized around interdisciplinary themes.
Learning Communities help students build intellectual connections between subjects they are studying and build social connections with each other at the same time. They have proven to be powerful in fostering deeper student engagement in academic work and increasing student success in college.
Gavilan has offered interdisciplinary Learning Community programs linking math and English, child development and English, communications and political science and more.
“Students who enroll in the math/English learning community are more aware of the uses and value of each subject area because the link allows time to discuss and explore them,” said English instructor Kimberly Smith. “Through readings assigned and discussed in the English section, these students gain an appreciation of the history and importance of mathematical and scientific discovery.”
Student Rosa Felix said participation in a Learning Community helped.
“I feel more comfortable writing and more secure about myself. In math, I have accomplished getting 100 percent. When I first enrolled into school, I said to myself, as long as I pass with C’s in math and English, I’ll be happy. Now I’m getting grades I never thought I could get.”
Four Learning Communities will be offered at Gavilan when fall semester classes start today: “Train Your Brain!”, pairing math and English; “Drawing from the Well”, pairing reading skills with basic writing; “Let Your Voice Be Heard in America”, which combines public speaking and United States institutions; and “The California Dream”, which matches practical writing skills with college reading.
Details about Gavilan College Learning Communities, http://www.gavilan.edu or Karen Warren at 848-4850.
