ERIC Number: EJ994282
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
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Building Relationships, Sharing Resources, and Opening Opportunities: A STEM Learning Community Builds Social Capital for Students with Disabilities
Whitney, Jean; Langley-Turnbaugh, Samantha; Lovewell, Lynn; Moeller, Babette
Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, v25 n2 p131-144 Sum 2012
This article describes a learning community designed for university students with disabilities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) majors at the University of Southern Maine. The Learning Community (LC) seminar is a credit-bearing class and part of a pipeline of supports and services for high school and college students with disabilities. The current study used a mixed-methods research design to explore the LC from the students' perspective in order to understand what they gained from the course. Analysis revealed that students gained knowledge, skills, access to resources, and social support, all of which are important facets of social capital. Implications for practice and future research are discussed. (Contains 3 tables.)
Descriptors: Disabilities, Majors (Students), Social Capital, STEM Education, Accessibility (for Disabled), Educational Resources, Shared Resources and Services, Educational Opportunities, Communities of Practice, Academic Support Services, Related Services (Special Education), Mixed Methods Research, Achievement Gains, Program Descriptions, Student Attitudes, Group Dynamics, Interpersonal Relationship, Student Surveys, Seminars, Pretests Posttests, Skill Development
Association on Higher Education and Disability. 107 Commerce Center Drive Suite 204, Huntersville, NC 28078. Tel: 704-947-7779; Fax: 704-948-7779; e-mail: ahead@ahead.org; Web site: http://www.ahead.org/publications/jped
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Maine
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