The Power of the Learning Community: Lifelong Benefits for Society and the Individual

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 10
  In Roundtable Session: Impact of Social Support and Community Involvement

Abstract

The long-term impact of higher education on civic engagement and personal success is enhanced by experiencing an authentic learning community and broadened subjects of study. These factors are particularly important for those from lower socio-economic families. These are conclusions from interviews of 1000 college graduates who were 25 to 65 years old. In contrast to the common belief that specialized study is the key to one’s future, the content of study was found to be unrelated to these outcomes. Those from lower SES families were three times more likely to report a higher income and position if they experienced an authentic learning community and twice as likely to benefit from taking more than half of their courses outside their major.

Author

• Richard A Detweiler, HigerEdImpact