Building Synergy for High-Impact Educational Initiatives : First-Year Seminars and Learning Communities

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Schmidt, Lauren Chism, editor.

Graziano, Janine, editor.

National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience & Students in Transition (University of South Carolina)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

College teaching--Methodology.

College teaching.

College freshmen.

Seminars.

Professional learning communities.

College teaching--Methodology--Case studies.

College freshmen--Case studies.

Seminars--Case studies.

Professional learning communities--Case studies.

Place of Publication:

National Resource Center for The First Year Experience

Summary:

Published in partnership with the Washington Center for Improving the Quality of Undergraduate Education First-year seminars and learning communities are two of the most commonly offered high-impact practices on U.S. campuses. The goals of these initiatives are similar: helping students make connections to faculty and other students, improving academic performance, and increasing persistence and graduation. As such, it is not surprising that many institutions choose to embed first-year seminars in learning communities. This volume explores the merger of these two high-impact practices. In particular, it offers insight into how institutions connect them and the impact of those combined structures on student learning and success. In addition to chapters highlighting strategies for designing, teaching in, and assessing combined programs, case studies offer practical insights into the structures of these programs in a variety of campus settings.

Contents:

Introduction / Janine Graziano and Lauren Chism Schmidt

The Case for Connecting First-Year Seminars and Learning Communities / Ashley Finley and George D. Kuh

National Practices for Combining First-Year Seminars and Learning Communities / Jean Henscheid, Tracy L. Skipper, and Dallin G. Young

Administering Combined First-Year Seminar and Learning Community Programs / Nia Haydel and Liya Escalera

Teaching in Combined Programs / Lisa Dresdner and Ruthanna Spiers

What Should We Be Assessing and Why / Michele J. Hansen and Maureen Pettitt

Inviting the Mother Tongue and a First-Year Seminar to Promote Success Among Spanish-Speaking ESL Students / Bronx Community College

Metro Academies Case Study : A Redesign of the First Two Years of College Based on a Long Duration Learning Community / City College of San Francisco & San Francisco State University

The Targeted Learning Community : A Comprehensive Approach to Promoting the Success of First-Year Students in General Chemistry / Kennesaw State University

Common Courses : A Developing Linked Coursework Perspective / The University of South Carolina

Need a Little TLC? : Incorporating First-Year Seminars in Themed Learning Communities / Northern Illinois University

Writing Across the Curriculum Through Community Engagement: Exploring the Foster Care System in a Thematic Living and Learning Community / Cabrini College

Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID) / Mt. Hood Community College

Conclusion / Lauren Chism Schmidt and Janine Graziano.

ISBN:

9781942072133

1942072139