Freshman year learning communities in a computer engineering program

Abstract

Learning Communities, a growing initiative at Iowa State University, aid freshmen in the transition to college life as students live in the same residence hall and attend a common block of classes. By combining learning communities with the concept of student-centered active learning, students will gain control of and adjust more quickly to their new environment, experience increased achievement, and persist in the program. First year computer engineering students involved in the learning community participated in two new courses during the 1999/2000 academic year. The new courses were framed within the context of active learning to better prepare students for continuation in computer engineering by increasing their skills in group work and providing essential life-long learning skills. Students completed their freshman year with a greater awareness of complete, engineering, knowledge and skills for successful teamwork, and experience a quicker and more satisfying acclimation to the university and college life. The goal of project SUCCESS is 'to provide every student interested in Computer Engineering an opportunity, to succeed Iowa State University and to prepare him or her for their future careers." Engineering students take an academically challenging program of study beginning with rigorous courses in calculus, chemistry, and physics during their freshman year. While these courses are essential for providing a foundation upon which all engineering programs are based, many students find the courses difficult and elect not to continue their study of engineering. Project SUCCESS is an effort to help students survive the demands placed upon them as freshmen by providing a collaborative environment in which they will learn to seek assistance from and provide support to peers.