Learning Communities
What are Learning Communities?
Learning Communities bring together diverse groups of students and faculty with shared academic interests to interact in two or more courses.Students in our Learning Communities are enrolled in a first-year experience class, led by a Peer Leader or Peer Facilitator. Students form close relationships, explore academic interests, build friendships, and achieve their academic goals, combining the intimacy of a small college with the benefits of a major university.
What Do Students Say about Learning Communities?
"Most of my Learning Community peers were in the same classes as me, so it gave me a chance to make friends quicker.We bonded like family, and it was probably one of my favorite experiences."
— Learning Communities Student
"My Learning Community allowed me to have an outlet to a second-year Peer Leader who has already gone through what I have, and shehas helped me with strugglessince the beginning of the year."
— Learning Communities Student
"[A Learning Community]helps you grow your networkwith other fellow students and also engage in fun activities. You get to know ÷ much better and the things/resources that are available for you."
— Learning Communities Student
What is a Learning Community?
Learning Communities enroll small groups of students (15-23) into a set of courses together forming an educational package that includes a built-in support network of peers.Learning Communities provide a wide range of benefits including connections to faculty, peer mentors, campus resources, and special insights into what is required to be successful in a student's program of study.Benefits of Learning Communities include the formation of a social network, the engagement in a small group learning environment, and the experience of peer mentors who have excelled in the same coursework. Academic advisors should talk to their students about what their program faculty or college expects and/or requires.
How can I join a Learning Community?
You will join by registering for a Learning Community after consulting with your academic advisor during new student orientation. You will automatically be enrolled for the classes that are associated with your Learning Community once you enter the Learning Community class number that your advisor provides. Your advisor will also go over all the important details and logistics of registering for classes.
How much of a commitment is a Learning Community?
Learning Communities that have an assigned Peer Leader usually meet once or twice a week for 55-minute periods. When students enroll in a Learning Community, there will be a specific time for the Learning Community meeting on their schedule, MLTI 1011.Just like any other class, it has a set curriculum and requires attendance. Much of the time spent in Learning Communities reinforces important content in college and provides valuable skills to be successful academically, professionally, and personally.Many students find that enrolling in a Learning Community makes them more efficient learners. 90.82% of first-year students who enrolled in a Learning Community recommend it to future Bearcats.On average, Learning Community students earn higher grades and complete more hours towards their degrees than students not enrolled in Learning Communities.
What are the benefits of being in a Learning Community?
90.82% of former Learning Community students recommend the experience to incoming first-year students, and 94.24% agreed that itprepared them to be successful in their second year. Along with incorporating the content of theassociated Learning Community courses, Learning Community meetings focus on five target learning areas: life-long learners, connected and engaged, critical and reflective, professional and career-ready, and mentally and emotionally well. Students in a Learning Community also get the opportunity to network with upper-level students, faculty, and advisors.Learning Communities also provide students with a support network of peers who share common coursework and goals.Because of this co-enrollment, Learning Community students benefit from learning alongside their peers and forming study groups.
Are students required to participate in a Learning Community?
Most ÷ students enroll in a Learning Community or similar educational structure (e.g., an arts studio or performance group, PACE program) during their first year.Nearly all students in the following colleges enroll in an LC:Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS), Allied Health Sciences (CAHS), Medicine (COM), and Education Criminal Justice and Human Services (CECH). In addition, almost half the students in Arts & Sciences (A&S) enroll in a Learning Community. MediaProductionstudents within CCM are also required to enroll in Learning Communities.
Do I have to be a first-year student to join a Learning Community?
Yes. Learning Communities are focused on the transition to college that is most applicable to first-year students, and it is exclusive to students in their first or second of college.
How are students placed into Learning Communities?
Students enroll into Learning Communities based on their majors;areas of interest;and placement scores. Students will talk with their advisor at new student orientation about what Learning Community may best suit them.
Who leads the Learning Community?
Learning Communities in A&S, CAHS, COM, CEAS, and CCMhave an independent Learning Community meeting time (MLTI 1011) that is facilitated by a Learning Commons Peer Leader. Peer Leaders are upper-level students who have been specially selected based upon their academic and leadership capabilities.A Peer Leader will serve as a mentor and will guide students academically, socially, and professionally.
In CECH, students will enroll in PRFS 1001, a course within the Learning Community. PRFS 1001 is team taught by an Instructor and Learning Commons Peer Facilitator.
What is the difference between Peer Leaders and Peer Facilitators?
Peer Leader and Peer Facilitators perform very similar tasks. Both are responsible for leading a group of first-year students through their transition to ÷. Peer Facilitators, however, collaborate with an instructor partner such as an academic advisor to help meet the needs of students. Where Peer Leaders are responsible for leading every class session, Peer Facilitators facilitate one day with an instructor partner and another on their own each week.
Is the Learning Community worth any credit hours, and will studentsreceive a letter grade?
The Learning Community MLTI 1011 course is graded as a pass/fail, non-credit course, but all of the classes associated with the Learning Community (those students are automatically enrolled into as part of the Learning Community package) are credit-bearing and graded according to the university grading scale. In order to pass the Learning Community, students must attend and actively participate in the Learning Community MLTI 1011 course. Because the Learning Community meeting time is a non-credit bearing course, a fail will not affect a student's GPA;but it will show up on their transcript as a "U” (unsatisfactory).
Am I required to re-enroll in their Learning Community for the Spring Semester?
All students are strongly encouraged to enroll in a Spring learning community and some colleges require it So, talk with your academic advisor to determine your next steps.
Are there Learning Communities for exploratory students?
Yes, there are a variety of Learning Communities for exploratory first-year students.You should talk to your advisorto see which Learning Community would be best for you.
How can I apply to be a Peer Leader/Facilitator?
Visit the Peer Leader/Facilitator Employment webpageto learn more about the positions.
Can I drop a Learning Community after I registered?
Students are not able to drop a Learning Community within Catalyst. If students have questions regarding dropping their Learning Community, they must contact their academic advisor.
Can I still enroll in a Learning Community if I have AP orother credit?
Yes, many students with Advanced Placement credits enroll in a Learning Community; however, you should talk to your advisor about any AP or other credit that you have. Your advisor will be able to make accommodations to their schedule if necessary.
Leverage the power of first-year experience, learning community, and peer mentorship programs to promote academic success and persistence in a certain subject area.
Learning Commons Front Desk
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French Hall West Lobby
2815 Commons Way
Cincinnati, OH 45221
Email Us
LearningCommons@uc.edu
Call Us
(513) 556-3224