The Pedagogy of Possibilities: Developmental Education, College-Level Studies, and Learning Communities
Gillies Malnarich, with Ben Sloan, Phyllis van Slyck, Pam Dusenberry, and Jan Swinton. National Learning Communities Project monograph series. 2003.
This publication invites developmental educators and learning community practitioners to create challenging and supportive learning environments for academically under prepared students. Research-based best practices in developmental education provide a rationale for adopting an approach to learning communities for developmental students that intentionally targets "high-risk curriculum"—curricular trouble spots where students typically flounder and fail—with the intent of designing learning communities as an intervention strategy for student success. Nine case studies and numerous examples illustrate this approach.
Foreword (PDF)
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Introduction (PDF)
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Section One
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Chapter 1: Taking a Risk to Learn: What It Means to be "Prepared" for Higher Education (PDF)
Section Two
Learning Community Case Studies
Drawing Lessons Early On: The Learning Community Factor in Teaching and Learning (PDF)
Ben Sloan, Fayetteville Technical Community College
Learning More, Learning Better: Developmental and ESL Learning Communities (PDF)
Phyllis van Slyck, LaGuardia Community College, City University of New York
College Knowledge: Creating Meaningful Preparatory Curriculum (PDF)
Pam Dusenberry, Shoreline Community College
Learning How to Learn: A Foundation for Developmental Learning Communities (PDF)
Jan Swinton, Spokane Falls Community College
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General Education First Year Cluster Program: California State University, Hayward (PDF)
Learning in Communities (LinC) Program: De Anza College (PDF)
Project Success: Grossmont Community College (PDF)
Circle of Learning for Entering Students: University of Texas at El Paso (PDF)