Faculty Resources - LC Application Checklist

New Learning Communities Project Checklist

Below is a list of considerations for developing a learning community. At any time during the process don't hesitate to consult with the Learning Communities Coordinator (Jennifer Cook x3655)

1. Identify group goals and a theme or themes; begin to share and explore reading lists.
2. Trade syllabi and meet to discuss commonalities as well as new perspectives on subject matter. Obviously, ongoing interaction is crucial to community formation.
3. Begin to visit one another's classes to observe teaching styles.
4. Design new syllabi or revise to meet new goals.
5. Work together to construct and adapt assignments that encourage students to encounter ideas and materials in new ways.
6. Consider classroom strategies, activities, guest presenters (if guest presentations can be open to others on campus, there may be Student Activities funding--check with Barbara Delansky, well in advance.)
7. Discuss grading philosophies, evaluation methods, and ways to divide paper-reading responsibilities.
8. Discuss workload issues as they arise. Direct questions and concerns to Anne McGrail.
9. Begin to consider assessment questions: How will you know if your learning community has been successful? What will it take for you to consider it a success? How will you find out if the students think it was successful? What would a failure look like?
10. Determine scheduling and classroom needs; discuss these issues with division staff. Its extremely important that departments' administrative assistants understand your project.
11. Determine the best time to offer your Learning Community. Check for potential conflicts that would affect enrollment in your community or impact another learning community.

Make sure you fill out a Learning Communities application prior to the stated deadlines. Many of the items above may be ongoing, but some of the "nuts and bolts" issues below also need to be addressed.

1. Prepare descriptive information for class schedules. You will hear from Jennifer Cook about deadlines for submissions for the learning community pages, but you will also need to talk with division staff about information to be included on division pages.
2. Make publicity decisions (flyers? posters? visits to classes? Torch article?).
3. Check on the registration process for your Learning Community; make sure you understand how registration will work for your community's configuration.
4. Meet with counselors and others who are involved in direct student counseling. Develop a working relationship with counselors who advise students in appropriate academic areas.
5. Don't forget the variety of other places students may receive counseling: Disability Services, Veterans' Office, Multicultural Center , Program, TRIO program.
6. Well before registration starts, begin publicizing your learning community to staff and students. You may take 20 posters to the Student Activities office, and the staff there will put them on appropriate bulletin boards. They stock the bulletin boards every Thursday. Be sure to let them know how long the posters should remain.
   Contact Jennifer Cook with questions (3655).