When you hear the term "learning-centered university," it's natural to picture classrooms, research labs and library study rooms. At Cal Poly Pomona, learning also takes place in less traditional settings, such as a student club, a health fair, and through posters around campus.
The fourth annual Stories of Successful Learning, scheduled for Feb. 10, will highlight the many ways students learn. Some exhibits will describe a class assignment or a research project while other presenters will share their experiences from an organization, an event or a new project. What their stories have in common is chronicling the process of learning - identifying a question or a challenge, finding a solution, taking action and evaluating the result.
"We want to show that the culture of learning moves beyond the classroom," says Dennis Quinn, assistant professor of interdisciplinary education.
One such presentation from a previous event was by Bust Out of the Bubble, a new student group that promotes awareness of environmental and social issues through discussion and films. Students reflected on how they formed a group, recruited passionate members and gained influence on campus.
Representatives from Counseling & Psychological Services presented their education efforts to students on alcohol and drugs.
A display by Student Health Services showed how marketing of its "Do you HEAR" campaign helped slow the spread of the cold and flu on campus.
Organizers hope to add more student participants to the February event, as well as exhibits from faculty and staff from all divisions on campus.
"Presentations could be research-related, or it could be about a group or club and things that students learned from it," says Victoria Bhavsar, program coordinator in the Faculty Center. "Learning is fantastically fun. To communicate what you've done with others is really rewarding, and we want faculty, staff and students to experience that."
The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Ursa Major Suite, Bronco Student Center. For more information, visit www.cpp.edu/~learningstories/.