Implementation of Learning Communities in Japanese Universities

概要

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We visited five universities in the suburbs of New York in order to investigate learning communities (LCs) to propose methods of implementing LCs in Japanese universities. We emailed an interview questionnaire in advance to the LC coordinators of these universities, before visiting and conducting an informal interview at each university. As a result of the interviews, we identified three important variables for successful LCs: benefits, structure, and management of LCs. We proposed that the following types of LCs are applicable in Japanese universities: (1). LCs for students in liberal arts institutions that plan to follow identical careers, in order to integrate their knowledge and develop human relationships. (2). LCs for seminars in non-liberal arts institutions to discuss materials that they have studied in common courses, at which the faculty member in charge integrates the students' knowledge. (3). LCs for project-based learning in non-liberal arts institutions, in which students can handle different information and use various skills to complete their project with the corporation of a team of faculty members.