Learning Communities

Whether the community is a team-taught class, classes connected by a common theme, or students working together in one or more classes, what is essential to a learning community is that the learning comes from people working together.

What are they?

• students working together in two or more linked classes with a common theme
• faculty working together to create a new approach and provide different perspectives for students within a class or subject area

What benefits do they provide?

• learning and studying with the same students in different classes
• getting common readings and assignments in different classes
• learning how to make connections between different subjects areas
• having support from two or more instructors
• belonging to a group that works collaboratively in a friendly, supportive atmosphere

Comments from Students

• "I've never had this much discussion with other students before; I learned how others think and new viewpoints, all which made the points more clear."
• "If I was lost about something in one class, it usually became clear in the other one."
• " I learned more, got more units, and had less stress in one quarter."

Links and Resources

• First Year Experience Learning Community Program
  
• Mfumo
  
• Pass the Torch
  
• Puente

Foothill College offers a number of learning community options. Click on the above links to find out more.