This thesis investigates student-identified benefits of residential learning communities. It is a qualitative study involving matriculates living on campus who participate in Freshman Connections at Ball State University. Past assessment of the program includes faculty, residence hall director, and student surveys investigating their experiences and feedback. The literature reflects creation and implementation of living and learning communities, benefits for students, faculty and universities, and retention outcomes. The researcher used focus groups in the research design and analyzed the data by extracting relevant themes. The findings are discussed within the following themes: student knowledge of the Freshman Connections program; adjustment to Ball State University, and college, academic and interpersonal benefits of learning communities; and relationships among students and faculty. The conclusion includes discussion of how student adjustment to Ball State University and college was affected by assignment of students to the same courses and residence hall. Academic relationships among faculty and students are also explored along with discussion concerning students' overall experience in the Freshman Connections program. Finally, suggestions for further research are presented. / Department of Educational Leadership
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/186917 |
| Date | January 2000 |
| Creators | Freistat, Sally E. |
| Contributors | Hyman, Randy E. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | iii, 130, [1] leaves ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
| Coverage | n-us-in |
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