Abstract

At Grand Rapids Community College (Michigan), faculty members have developed a unique way to learn the pedagogy of service-learning. Learning circles are a place for faculty to come together and offer a structured approach for implementing service-learning. Jerica Windemuller, AmeriCorps*VISTA member with Michigan Campus Compact, submitted this effective practice in September 2005.

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Issue

For many faculty, the idea of service-learning is an appealing one, but there is little or no formal instruction in how to go about incorporating this approach in the classroom.

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Action

Learning circles offer a way for faculty to come together and implement a student-centered approach to instruction. Steps to take include the following:

Each Learning Circle has up to eight faculty and is facilitated by a current GRCC faculty member.

Topics are Contextualizing the Curriculum, Instructional Technology, Collaborative Learning, Critical Thinking, and Culture of Poverty.

Project Outline

Each learning circle encompasses a similar three year cycle.

Year One (Learning and Pilot Stage)

During the first semester of this year, faculty will meet twice a month to learn about the particular teaching strategy. During the second semester the team will continue to meet collectively while piloting the teaching strategy in a selected class. In addition to further learning, the team will also develop an evaluation tool specific to their learning strategy and learn a model for peer evaluation.

Year Two (Implementation Stage)

During this year the faculty will fully implement the teaching strategy in a chosen class. Faculty will continue to meet as a learning circle once a month. To assist in the implementation and improvement of this strategy, faculty will also engage in peer observation as well as the implementation of the teaching strategy evaluation tool developed by the circle in year one.

Year Three (Mentoring)

During this final year, faculty who successfully implemented the teaching strategy will mentor faculty who are in stages one and two. The mentors will provide support and guidance to the mentees on how to fully implement the teaching strategies.

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Context

Grand Rapids Community College has been awarded a FIPSE (Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education) grant for over $400,000 to fund professional development for faculty. This three year grant will provide time and resources for faculty to participate in five learning circles aimed at improving student learning and retention. Informed by current research in teaching and learning while capitalizing upon the expertise of GRCC faculty, these learning circles will focus on five subject areas.

In Fall 2004, more than 14,000 students enrolled in more than 1,600 liberal arts and occupational courses. The diverse student body represents students from Kent and surrounding counties as well as students from across the United States and 22 other nations. Another 10,000 learners are served by non-credit instructional opportunities. In addition to traditional classroom environments, students may also receive instruction through community and distant service-learning offerings, seminars, workshops, training classes, distance learning options and other educational formats.

GRCC employs a faculty of more than 250 full-time and 350 part-time members, as well as a staff of 650. It has been nationally recognized for both its liberal arts and occupational programs. GRCC was founded in 1914 by the Grand Rapids Board of Education after a resolution was passed by the University of Michigan's faculty which encouraged the establishment of junior colleges in Michigan.

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Outcome

At Grand Rapids Community College, faculty expect to see enhanced student success through institutionalized implementation of effective, student-centered teaching practices.

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Posted On

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For More Information

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Resources

For more on FIPSE grants, visit http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/fipse/index.html

Related Practices

• Implementing service-learning in community colleges

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Related sites

Learn and Serve America

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