About PsTL
Student information
Postsecondary Teaching and Learning
pstl@umn.edu
Fax: 612-625-0709
140 Appleby Hall
128 Pleasant St. SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
Tel: 612-626-8705128 Pleasant St. SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
Fax: 612-625-0709
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LEARNING COMMUNITIES
What is a learning community (LC)?
A learning community is an engaging way of linking together two or more courses around a common interest or theme. It allows students to explore challenging material and have increased interaction with faculty members and peers. Research has shown that learning communities help students become more involved in their learning and this leads to improved performance.
It is also a great way to get to know your professors and other students and create a smaller more intimate learning environment at a large university.
Quick overview of types of LC offerings
- Interdisciplinary learning communities: These learning communities link courses from various disciplines around one theme. You will be exposed to thinking about an issue from different disciplinary perspectives. This is great way to explore a variety of subject areas during one semester! You will also fulfill for a variety of graduation requirements in different areas.
- Commanding English is a learning community of students for whom English is not the home language. Through an interdisciplinary curriculum of college courses, English Language support is built in through small class size, tutoring, supplemental reading courses, and feedback on drafts of papers. This program provides an energetic place for motivated second-language students to acculturate into the University and reading and writing at the college level, exploring majors, and communicating for success. All courses carry college credit.
- TRiO learning communities have been successful for the past decade and have become the foundation for all students enrolled in PsTL. Each semester, TRiO offers disciplinary-specific learning communities in science, social sciences, as well as integrated learning communities for students interested in social justice, ethnic studies, education, and international studies.
- Freshman seminars: Freshman seminars allow you to work in small classroom environment with a faculty member around a particular area of expertise. You can to a close study of topics ranging from evolution and genetics to public art and public heath. Freshman seminars also fulfill graduation requirements and may be linked to career development courses.
February 2007