College to offer 'learning communities' next fall
By Heather Latty
Next fall, IVCC is offering classes that are grouped together in what are called learning communities. Students will be able to enroll in a cluster of two or three courses being offered together, with the same group of students.
A learning community is "an opportunity for students to discover learning over a broad range of topics in a group setting, according to Alice Steljes, a business instructor working on developing one of the learning communities.
Steljes said learning communities group together classes that relate to each other making the information easier to apply.
She is working with business instructors Bob Reese and Mike Sankovich to group Introduction to Business, Accounting and Business Math.
The business "community," which does not have a title yet, will meet from 8:45 a.m. until noon on Mondays and Wednesdays and until 12:35 p.m. on Fridays.
"It’s as if the students signed up for ten hours," Steljes said.
Students will receive four grades, one for each of the three classes and one overall grade to be based on attendance and other factors the instructors are still discussing.
Classes are linked to a one-hour seminar, which incorporates all three courses and includes group tutoring sessions, special topics, guest speakers and an occasional party, Steljes said.
"It’s a fun way to learn and isn’t as structured or rigid as a regular class," she said.
The course is also ideal for freshmen who come to IVCC not knowing anyone since the students work together and build relationships with other students and faculty, Steljes said.
"It’s a way to provide more support for students than they are used to," she said.
Agreeing with Steljes, Sankovich recommended learning communities instead of individual classes, explaining that the communities should help keep students in school and give them a better chance of keeping up.
Marianne Dzik, chair of the new division of academic enrichment, also said studies show that learning communities are good for retention and do improve attendance. Dzik is working with instructors to develop the course combinations.
Other learning community combinations being planned for the fall include:
- Basic Reading and Strategies for College
- Computer Skills for the Workplace and Strategies for College.
A combination of Introduction to Philosophy and Research Strategies is also being considered.