Investigating the Relationship between Residence Learning Community Participation and Student Academic Outcomes in a Canadian Institution
This study investigated the relationship between residential living scenario and first year grades, second year retention, and 5-year graduation rates of students at a Canadian comprehensive university. We compared the academic outcomes of students living in residence learning communities (RLCs) t...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
2018-10-01
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| Series: | Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cjsotl_rcacea/vol9/iss2/7 |
| Summary: | This study investigated the relationship between residential living scenario and first year grades, second year
retention, and 5-year graduation rates of students at a Canadian comprehensive university. We compared the
academic outcomes of students living in residence learning communities (RLCs) to those in other living
scenarios (traditional residences and off-campus). RLCs have been shown to be positively associated with
student academic outcomes in the United States; however, the data to support RLCs in Canada is nonexistent.
A longitudinal observational study was conducted to analyse the academic outcomes of a complete
cohort of students (n=4805) who lived in RLCs (18%) and non-RLCs (82%). Results indicated that RLC
students, on average, achieved higher first year averages, 2nd year retention rates, and 5-year graduation rates
relative to non-RLC students, thereby contributing to the goals of post-secondary institutions to attract and
retain their students through to graduation. |
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| ISSN: | 1918-2902 1918-2902 |