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A learning community is a cohort-based, interdisciplinary approach to higher education. It is an advanced kind of educational (or 'pedagogical') design1 in which the participants may be actively engaged in 'peer tutoring' as well as learning. Instructors (US) or tutors (UK/EU) may contribute from several distinct fields of study. Learning communities are fairly common to American colleges and universities. They are also found in the United Kingdom and Europe.
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 initiatives in colleges and universities throughout the nation. 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 | ||||||||
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