Dr. Joy Francis
Lecturer, Department of Communication and Theatre Arts

What do you teach?

I teach a variety of upper level classes, but my learning community class is Public Speaking.

How long have you been at Old Dominion University? How long have you been a part of the Learning Communities program?

I’ve taught at ODU for a little over 10 years. This is my first year with the LCs since the relaunch, but I have taught for other LC programs like Business.

Which LC are you a part of this fall? Who are your co-faculty in the LC and how have you collaborated this semester?

I am a part of the Arts & Letters group relaunching this fall. Our LC’s focus is Communication. Carla Harrell is my co-faculty. Morgan Morrison heads up the Skills course we offer. Carla and I worked to integrate a few key assignments. For example, students can present a paper they craft in Carla’s class. Also, we are working to reinforce similar concepts in the areas of persuasion and include a reflective paper towards the end of the course.

What do you see as the benefits of the LC program, for students and/or for faculty members? Can you share some of the highlights of your experience teaching a learning community?

I believe many of my students would not persevere without the built-in community a LC offers. For example, one of my students recently had an accident and is forced to maneuver her way around campus. Since she shared some of her struggles with the class openly, I asked what dorm she resided in and the time-frame she needed to be on-campus. Instantly a young man who sat on the other side of the classroom volunteered to help her. “You’re on my floor, right?” he asked. When she nodded, he offered his contact info. He was a quiet student, and she was more outgoing. They seemed unlikely friends, but not in an LC.

Also, typically with a class like this, students reluctantly engage in dialogue with their professor.  (For example, getting my 300 level students to respond to prompts or answer review questions voluntarily can be like pulling teeth!) However, this is not the case with my LC class. When reviewing class material, over 50-60% of them raise their hands to answer my questions. Thus, students not only feel comfortable doing so, but they are actually reading ahead and studying the texts! To see this level of participation in the first week of class is phenomenal!

I think a final distinctive of the LCs that I observe is increased confidence in students. Most students are terrified of taking a public speaking class. These students as well have created bonds in weeks that normally take months to occur.

What would you say to your colleagues who are considering becoming a part of the LC program themselves?

It is one of the richest and most rewarding experiences to teach LC courses. I really feel like I’m getting through to the students, and they are not simply “checking the box” to complete the course. They are learning in the context of community.

THANK-YOU for inviting me to be a part of their lives for this season!