<p>This is my 2d time around as older d is college freshmen and d # 2 is HS junior. I thought I "knew it all" but I just became aware of the concept of "learning communities" within a university. At the Temple U. admission session, it was mentioned that a student can partake in a Learning Community which is 2 or 3 classes linked together with a common theme. The class has the same 25 kids registered so they form a "community" and can act to help one another etc. Also visited George Mason and they too have a similar program. It sounded like an "honors type" program without the honors designation.<br>
I googled "learning communities" and found that there are a few hundred colleges that have this type of program. So I was wondering if anyone had personal experience or knowledge about this concept. Thanks.<br>
Marny</p>
<p>Just went back to learning communities website. Some of the programs that meet this criteria include Duke-Focus Program. Penn State-LEAP program- Univer. of Wisconsin-First Year Interest Groups and Wofford College-Learning Communities Initiative. So if anyone has any info on these programs or other like programs, it would be appreciated. Over 200 colleges have "learning community" programs so I was hoping someone had personal experience with it. Thanks.</p>
<p>evergreen state college entire campus is set up like this</p>
<p><a href="http://www.evergreen.edu/washcenter/%5B/url%5D">http://www.evergreen.edu/washcenter/</a></p>
<p>We did have Evergreen as D first choice for years- but she eventually ended up someplace a little different.</p>
<p>One of the first in the country. It's a first year program that has multiple objectives - not the least of which is to facilitate the transition to college life.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.stlawu.edu/fyp/%5B/url%5D">http://www.stlawu.edu/fyp/</a></p>
<p>Long-time lurker...first time I've actually posted.</p>
<p>My s is just finishing his first year at Iowa State University. He has been in a learning community for Construction Engineering. Best thing that ever happened to him! I wouldn't call it an "honors" type program at ISU, but a grouping of students in a specific concentration. I think he has two classes with these students, in addition to a two hour weekly gathering where they eat pizza, shoot the breeze and commiserate about their engineering classes in general.</p>
<p>He's looking forward to already knowing several students in his classes when he returns next fall.</p>
<p>Roma</p>
<p>Learning communities have become a buzzword in college retention circles as a tool for getting students to feel more invested in their college experience, and thus not drop out. Grouping students in small communities within the larger college gives them a feeling of belonging to something tangible. They also tend to build relationships with other students and with instructors in a stronger way, which also makes them feel more connected to school, and helps them be successful.</p>
<p>A lot of learning communities are Honors programs, but as schools learn that Honors programs work partly because th students identify with the small group and excel in that configuration, they have expanded the concept to other communities, some unthemed, while others are grouped around a common interest.</p>
<p>For instance, at UMIch, when I was there they had Honors, and Residential College. Now they have something like 10-12 learning communities, grouped around various themes: research, community service, etc., because they found the small-group focus works.</p>
<p>Some learning communities, like the one the OP described, enroll the students in common classes; others foster the community ties in different ways, such as themed dorms or regular meetings, outings, etc.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. The "learning community" term was just used in passing at the Temple Admissions session but it caught my attention. It definitely did seem a good way to help students adjust to college life by placing them within smaller groups. Also -Thanks Emeraldkity as I believe your link did get me to the site that I was originally looking at. If anyone else has other experiences, please share.</p>
<p>UNC - Wilmington has the program and it gave my daughter the feeling and experience of a small LAC within a university, great start to freshman year. AT UNCW alll the LCs are housed in a fabulous new dorm -- another perq.</p>