ERIC Number: EJ1001772
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1542-3077
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
The Impact of a Discipline-Based Learning Community on Transfer Students: A Multi-Dimensional Pilot Study
Lord, Vivian B.; Coston, Charisse T. M.; Blowers, Anita N.; Davis, Boyd; Johannes, Kenia S.
Journal of The First-Year Experience & Students in Transition, v24 n2 p63-84 2012
Learning communities (LCs) have become a popular strategy for developing structured programming aimed at enhancing student success and retention. While most LCs have focused on improving the quality of education for first-year students, little attention has been placed on addressing their usefulness for enhancing the success of transfer students. Also, research on the impact of discipline-specific LCs has been limited (Buch & Spaulding, 2008a); only a single study was found that focused exclusively on an LC within the criminal justice discipline (Dabney, Green, & Topalli, 2006). Using multiple measures over an academic year, researchers examined the achievements of a cohort of transfer students participating in a criminal justice LC at three points in time. During the study, students' involvement in campus activities increased; they felt a greater sense of commitment to the institution, their majors, and the LC program; they used academic support resources on campus; and their level of stress surrounding transferring decreased. This study provides evidence that LC programs also can be an effective intervention for transfer students. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.)
Descriptors: Academic Achievement, Majors (Students), Academic Support Services, Program Effectiveness, Communities of Practice, Community Colleges, Transfer Students, Discipline, Law Enforcement, Stress Variables, Student Attitudes, Intervention, Student Participation, Study Habits, Social Integration
National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition. University of South Carolina, 1728 College Street, Columbia, SC 29208. Tel: 803-777-6229; Fax: 803-777-4699; e-mail: fye@sc.edu; Web site: http://www.sc.edu/fye/publications/index.html; Web site: http://fyesit.metapress.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A