Learning Communities Program

URL: http://www.umassmed.edu/learningcommunities/

The development of Learning Communities further enhances LInC and our broader learning environment. Learning Communities fall under the auspices of the Office of Undergraduate Medical Education and the Office of Student Affairs. Learning Communities are made up of five “Houses.” Upon entry to medical school, students are randomly assigned to one of these Houses, which facilitates their interaction with house mentors, house specialty advisors and other faculty. The House structure also provides opportunities for student community promoting peer mentoring and other forms of vertical integration. House mentors also teach their students clinical skills. These interactions support students academically and professionally through the establishment of a robust, four-year mentoring program.

Learning Communities are designed to enhance the quality of student-teacher and student-student relationships by promoting longitudinal interactions between students and faculty within and between classes throughout the four-year educational program. This model improves continuity of teaching doctoring and clinical skills, supports interactive and small group teaching, fosters students’ self-directed learning, and develops students’ skills in formal and informal peer teaching and mentoring.