A learning community is a cohort-based, interdisciplinary approach to higher education usually with instructors contributing from several distinct fields of study. Learning communities are fairly common to American colleges and universities.

History

---

Learning communities in the United States began appearing in the early 1980s. For example, The Evergreen State College, which is widely considered a pioneer in this area, established an intercollegiate learning community in 1984. In 1985, this same college established the Washington Center for Improving the Quality of Undergraduate Education, which focuses on collaborative education approaches, including learning communities as one of its centerpieces.

Learning communities began to gain popularity at other U.S. colleges and universities during the late 80s and throughout the 90s. The Washington Center's National Learning Commons Directory has over 250 learning community inititives in colleges and universities throughout the nation. (Directory Search)

Learning Community Models

---

There are five basic learning community models: (1) linked courses, (2) learning clusters, (3) freshmen interest groups, (4) federated learning communities, and (5) coordinated studies.

Sources

---

• Smith, B.L., & McCann, J.; Eds. (2001). Reinventing Ourselves: Interdiciplinary Education, Collaborative Learning, and Experimentation in Higher Education. Bolton, MA: Anker Publishing.
• Gabelnick, Faith; MacGregor, Jean; Matthews, Roberta S.; Smith, Barbara Leigh. "Learning Communities: Creating Connections Among Students, Faculty, and Disciplines." ''New Directions for Teaching and Learning, Number 41, Spring 1990.
• What are learning communities?

External links

---

• Washington Center: National Learning Commons

Learning

קהילה לומדת וירטואלית