Learning Communities

Abstract

Abstract A recent trend in higher education has been the creation of learning communities. These programs are designed to create a learning environment that encourages students to make both academic and social connections to provide a richer learning experience. Colleges and universities often create learning communities as a mechanism for increasing student retention and academic engagement while also enhancing “deeper” learning. While these goals focus on the student, learning communities can also be an effective strategy for meeting other institutional goals. While there is considerable agreement that learning communities can be an effective forum for enhancing the quality of undergraduate education, the success of these programs requires considerable planning and dedication by campus administration, faculty, and staff.