Interviewed 28 first-year students enrolled in a first-year experience course at a southern metropolitan university to better understand students' attitudes regarding the institution, their coursework, and their lives outside of the classroom. Identified six major constructs: student involvement in academics, the purpose of education, importance…

Students participating in a learning community do report an understanding of and appreciation for connected and shared learning. More importantly, according to the qualitative evidence, shared learning is a pivotal antecedent to connected learning. (Author)