The Cerritos College Learning Communities Program has been improving the college experience at Cerritos and at other local colleges for the last six years by linking classes that are related, such as English and History and having students discuss community issues.
Teachers attended a workshop on campus last fall that promoted the supportive partnerships that Learning Communities require. They learned how to participate in a learning community. These workshops make it possible for teachers from different fields to work together to coordinate their subject matters, enriching the students’ learning environment. The workshop was open to faculty from local colleges.
Most college students attend separate, unrelated classes. In a learning community environment, the classes are linked.
Student Argelia Vasquez said, “First I have History 101, then English 100. My history teacher goes through his course on American history, and then my English teacher will use the information taught in history class to teach how to write essays.”
Ana Torres Bower, coordinator of the program, said the program helps students attain success in their academic lives. It also promotes supportive partnerships among faculty members, she said, which further enriches the students’ learning environment.
Banned Book Night was a notable event for students in learning communities. English professor Barbara Mueller said the students each picked a book from a list of the 100-most banned books and wrote essays on them, discussing what was controversial in the books. Then they discussed when a government or school district should step in and prohibit access to books.
“The whole idea is to let the students bring up the issues,” Mueller said. The school simply sponsored the event – and created the opportunity for the students to think about community issues such as censorship and freedom of speech.
The students also support and encourage each other, Mueller said.
The program has its own retention counselor, Gloria Arevalo, who helps the students negotiate the sometimes difficult path through college.
Those interested in more information about the Learning Communities Program can contact Ana Torres Bower at (562) 860-2451 ext. 2778 or visit the website at www.Cerritos.edu/lcp.
