Learning Communities

Learning communities are a family of programs, typically implemented at the collegiate level, that intentionally create community to accomplish specific learning objectives or goals. They are characterized by intentionally crafted spaces that bring groups of learners together to achieve shared goals around a central theme, increase interaction and collaboration with peers and faculty both in and out of the classroom, and use active learning techniques to focus on multi- or interdisciplinary concerns. Studies evaluating learning communities' effectiveness suggest they promote students' attainment of a wide range of academic and social outcomes important to graduates facing new social, political, and economic challenges.