The Learning Com-munity program, currently offered at EPCC, allows students to save time on homework assignments through the linking of different academic courses.
An example of a paired course is English 1301 and Speech 1315 with the theme of “Who am I? Family, Community, and the World.” Assignments overlap from both courses, covering this theme, so that research can be applied for both.
“Students work less, but more efficiently,” said Caroline Woolf-Gurley, English instructor and coordinator for the Learning Community program.
Registering for the program can be done in the same way as registering for any other classes. When using online registration, enter both CRNs into the registration worksheet.
Woolf-Gurley emphasized the importance of entering both CRNs at the same time in order to “avoid errors.”
Students can interact with each other more in learning communities than in regular classrooms, Woolf-Gurley said.
“They [students] are in a social environment and get used to working with others, just like in the work force.”
She also noted that the pedagogy used in Learning Communities has actually been used since the 1960’s, and that its success can be seen in the grades of the students.
“The rate is much higher in the [Learning] Com-munities because students are actually inspired to stay in the class … They learn better critical thinking skills.” Although this semester’s Learning Com-munity courses are only available at the VV campus, they will soon be offered at the NW campus in the fall.
Woolf-Gurley said she is working to expand the program to other campuses.
