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Iowa State University

Learning Communities

5th Annual Learning Communities Institute
"The Road Less Traveled· and that has made all the difference"

Iowa State University
May 12 – 13, 2003
Scheman Building

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE:  In The Road Not Taken Robert Frost wrote, ãTwo roads diverged in a wood, and I -- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.ä  Over five years ago, many faculty and staff members at Iowa State University chose to take the path of Learning Communities.  At the time, it was a path not well traveled by many institutions.  That choice has made a significant difference in the lives of Iowa State students, faculty, and staff, as well as the institution.  The Fifth Annual Learning Communities Institute will focus on that difference.  In plenary sessions, concurrent presentations, team times, and individual conversations we want to examine what has made all the difference.  Is it the collaboration?  The innovative teaching?  The students?  The residential living environments?  The service-learning?  We also want to explore what the difference is.  What kind of difference have learning communities made in the lives of students?  Of learning community coordinators?  Have learning communities changed our departments?  Or our student services?  Or the institution as a whole?  We encourage you to reflect on your experience with Learning Communities and share what you believe has made all the difference, and what that difference is.

PLAN TO BRING YOUR TEAM!  A team includes any individuals who contribute to the achievement of a learning community's goals and outcomes. Any or all of the following individuals may be included: LC coordinators, teachers of linked/clustered classes, English teachers, Teaching and Research Assistants, Department Chairs, on-campus and community partners, etc. LC coordinators are encouraged to include a broad spectrum of individuals in the planning and improvement of their LCs.

LCI Schedule at a Glance
May 12-13, 2003

Monday, May 12, 2003

8:00 a.m. Registration, continental breakfast
Pre-institute Sessions (varied starting times)
8:30 – 9:15 Building Connections between Courses linked with English
9:30 – 10:30 Strategies to Engage Colleagues in your Learning Community Work
8:30 – 10:30 Using Focus Groups to Assess your Learning Community
9:00 – 10:30 Mentoring your Mentor: Strategies for Successful Supervision
Institute Begins
10:45 – 11:45 Student Development Panel
12:00 – 1:15 Kick-off Luncheon & Student Panel
1:15 – 1:45 Team Processing/ Planning
2:00 – 3:00 Assessment Plenary
3:15 – 4:15 Assessment in the Round Concurrent Sessions
4:15 – 5:00 Team Processing/ Planning

Tuesday, May 13, 2003

8:00 a.m. Coffee and Conversation
8:30 – 9:30 Plenary session: “Steal Away”
Featured speaker: J. Herman Blake
9:45 – 10:45 Research in the Round Concurrent Sessions
10:45 – 11:15 Break & Resource Fair
11:15 – 12:00 Plenary Session with Learning Communities Co- directors Corly Brooke & Doug Gruenewald
12:15 – 1:45 Celebration & Recognition Luncheon
2:00 – 3:00 Best Practices in the Round Concurrent Sessions
3:15 – 4:30 College LC Meetings

Plenary Session by J. Herman Blake

Assessment Plenary Session by Doug Epperson

Institute Subcommittee & Planning Team

 

For more information, contact: Jane Jacobson (4-4831) or Shari Ellertson (4-1948), Co-Chairs of the Learning Communities Institute Subcommittee