Discover insights from Drs. Karen Kurotsuchi Inkelas, Mimi Benjamin, and Jody E. Jessup-Anger as they discuss their new book on Living-Learning Communities in Practice. Topics include a revised model based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs, UVA's campus history, enhancing student engagement, and reflections on language, college choice, and student well-being.
Living learning communities integrate academic and social experiences, fostering student growth and preparation for post-college life.
The revised model emphasizes student engagement, community building, and assessment to enhance living learning communities for diverse practitioners.
The book provides typologies and a logic model to guide practitioners in assessing and improving living learning communities, promoting continuous growth and development.
Deep dives
Importance of Living Learning Communities
Living learning communities offer students a unique experience by grouping them together in a residence hall, providing a shared academic experience, and engaging them in co-curricular activities. These communities encourage students to integrate learning in their living environment, promoting academic engagement and social interactions with peers and faculty. By fostering an academically engaged and socially supportive climate, students learn and grow in these communities, preparing them for life beyond college.
Evolution of Living Learning Communities Model
The revised model of living learning communities features a pyramid structure with critical components at the base, such as infrastructure and goals, followed by resources, climate, and experiences. The model emphasizes the importance of student engagement and community building, highlighting the interconnectedness of intellectual and social experiences. Assessment and communication play vital roles in evaluating student outcomes and fostering a supportive environment. This updated model promotes progress and improvement, catering to diverse audiences from beginners to experienced practitioners.
Practical Tools for Living Learning Communities
The book includes typologies and a logic model to guide practitioners in assessing and enhancing living learning communities. Typologies offer different levels of engagement, allowing practitioners to prioritize areas for improvement and gradual advancement. The logic model facilitates assessment of short-term, medium-term, and long-term student outcomes, aiding in evidence-based decision-making and program enhancement. These tools cater to a wide range of audiences, including housing directors, faculty fellows, decision-makers, and students, promoting continuous growth and development.
Challenges and Reflections on Student Experiences
Current concerns revolve around student success and mental health as students navigate college choices and expectations. The pressure on students to secure scarce resources like special programs or majors adds to their stress, impacting their mental well-being. There is a growing need to refocus on providing holistic college experiences for students, where the emphasis is on growth, exploration, and community building rather than checklist achievements. Reflecting on personal experiences with the college application process underscores the importance of creating supportive and meaningful environments for all students.
Upcoming Conference and Community Engagement
An upcoming joint conference by the Kuho Eyes Academic Initiatives and the Residential College Society presents an opportunity for professionals to network and engage with living learning community experts. The conference aims to merge two key conferences to provide a comprehensive platform for sharing ideas, best practices, and innovations in the field. This event offers a space for collaborative discussion on advancing living learning communities and facilitating student success. Professionals interested in promoting community-based learning are encouraged to participate in this enriching gathering.
Drs. Karen Kurotsuchi Inkelas, Mimi Benjamin, and Jody E. Jessup-Anger discuss their new book, Living-Learning Communities in Practice which builds on their previous book Living-Learning Communities That Work. In this conversation, they discuss a revised model as well as new typologies and logics informed by practitioner input to help LLCs thrive in practice.
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