CLOSING THE GAP: STUDENT CENTERED LEARNING, VIRTUAL COMMUNITIES, AND NEW STUDENT SUCCESS

This paper examines a course specifically designed for first semester students to introduce students to online learning platforms, university services, and career development tools. To illustrate the key components of this program, this paper examines the literature on collaborative learning and communication competence in higher education that informs the curriculum design to contextualize a live lesson initiative that supports learning outcomes and university goals. This paper thus provides a model for future application across the general education curriculum.