Community College Learning Communities: Enacted Appreciative Inquiry in the Pedagogical Practices of Developmental Education Faculty

• In Event: Poster Session 10
  In Poster Session: Student Learning and Development in Higher Education Poster Session

Abstract

In this study I utilized an interpretive case study at a community college that applied Appreciative Inquiry (AI) as an operational philosophy. This study included the examination of three micro-cases consisting of learning communities, student life, and leadership. Data was collected from 10 interviews, 8 observations, and documents generated during an AI implementation during the strategic planning process. Preliminary findings included faculty enactment of the principles of AI that was described through collaboration, focus on student potential, and an enhanced self-perception supporting the navigation emotional labor associated with teaching. This is significant due to the way these learning communities incorporated large numbers of developmental education classes and students and the way faculty enacted AI through pedagogical practice.

Author

• Dan W Royer, Ball State University