2008 Woodie Awards
Learning communities encourage collaboration
Michele Richinick
Issue date: 4/7/08 Section: News
Learning communities could significantly improve students' academic performances and other college endeavors, according to a recent study by research organization MDRC.
Learning communities, where students take several courses together, are being expanded at Northeastern to support students' interests, said Philomena Mantella, senior vice president for enrollment and student life. Each year, the university decides which communities to maintain, and recently, the number of freshman interest groups has increased, she said.
"[The administration] recognizes that the learning communities do have an advantage in academic performance and retention," she said. "[The administration] is increasing them in numbers because they increase students' performance levels, but also because students are asking for them."
Some students, like Ashleigh Karp, a middler psychology major, said these communities could benefit the students' academic performances.
"It would help you get to know people in your classes," she said. "This would be good because if you need help there would be someone you would feel comfortable going to."
The university is conscious about what students are interested in, Mantella said. Representatives have studied the communities' benefits by comparing students in learning communities with students who aren't, but who are committed to the same major and have the same academic and demographic profiles.
"They found that students did better in learning communities," Mantella said. "The level of engagement is better overall. They get to know the school, faculty and resources better, and they can meet friends easily who have common interests."
The learning community group in the survey took more courses on average, passed more classes, earned more credits and had a larger share of students passing all courses, the study showed.
Northeastern's music department has learning communities in music technology, said Douglas Durant, a music lecturer. Students in the same year tend to take required offerings during the same time slots, he said.
Learning communities, where students take several courses together, are being expanded at Northeastern to support students' interests, said Philomena Mantella, senior vice president for enrollment and student life. Each year, the university decides which communities to maintain, and recently, the number of freshman interest groups has increased, she said.
"[The administration] recognizes that the learning communities do have an advantage in academic performance and retention," she said. "[The administration] is increasing them in numbers because they increase students' performance levels, but also because students are asking for them."
Some students, like Ashleigh Karp, a middler psychology major, said these communities could benefit the students' academic performances.
"It would help you get to know people in your classes," she said. "This would be good because if you need help there would be someone you would feel comfortable going to."
The university is conscious about what students are interested in, Mantella said. Representatives have studied the communities' benefits by comparing students in learning communities with students who aren't, but who are committed to the same major and have the same academic and demographic profiles.
"They found that students did better in learning communities," Mantella said. "The level of engagement is better overall. They get to know the school, faculty and resources better, and they can meet friends easily who have common interests."
The learning community group in the survey took more courses on average, passed more classes, earned more credits and had a larger share of students passing all courses, the study showed.
Northeastern's music department has learning communities in music technology, said Douglas Durant, a music lecturer. Students in the same year tend to take required offerings during the same time slots, he said.
Be the first to comment on this story