이 연구의 목적은 전문대학 교육의 질적 제고를 위한 학습공동체의 활성화 방안을 제시하는데 있었다. 이를 위하여 학습공동체 관련 문헌이 고찰되었다. 특히 학습공동체의 개념, 특성, 모형, 효과 및 국내 운영 사례 등이 분석되었다. 이 연구에서 학습공동체란 미국 대학을 중심으로 처음 소개된 새로운 개념으로, 교육의 질적 제고를 위한 학사행정, 교육과정, 수업, 동아리 활동 등을 연계하거나 재구조화하는 전략이다. 외국에는 비교적 널리 도입되어 적용되고 있으나 우리나라의 경우는 몇몇 대학에서 도입하고 있는 실정이다. 국내외 운영 사례를 통하여 학생들의 학습능력 저하 문제를 해결하고 수요자 중심 교육을 구현할 수 있는 것으로 나타났고, 특히 학습공동체에 참여하는 학생, 교수 및 행정가 간의 파트너십이 증가되는 것으로 나타났다. 우리나라 전문대학 교육에 학습공동체가 도입되어 보다 효과적으로 활성화되는 위해서는 다음과 같은 노력이 필요할 것이다. 첫째, 학습공동체가 각 대학에 실질적으로 구축되기 위해서는 학습공동체에 대한 대학 구성원 간 공감대가 형성되어야 한다. 둘째, 학습공동체의 모형은 각 대학 및 학생의 특성에 따라 다양화하여 운영한다. 셋째, 학사관리의 지원기능을 강화한다. 넷째, 교육과정 편성의 다양성을 강화하고 연계 수업을 활성화하여 학생들의 특성에 따라 교육과정을 구조화한다. 다섯째, 수업(교수학습)은 학습자 중심의 수업을 운영하고 팀활동을 통해 상호작용을 좀 더 작은 단위로 조직해야 한다. 여섯째, 구성원 간 파트너십을 강화할 수 있는 시스템을 구축하고 적극적으로 활용하여 학습공동체를 내실화하고 지원한다. 일곱째, 지역 산업체와의 관계를 학생들의 선택가능성을 높여줄 수 있도록 다양화하여 학습공동체의 활용기반을 넓혀야 할 것이다. 마지막으로 전공동아리를 활성화시켜 수업과의 연계를 강화하고 학습공동체를 지원할 수 있도록 해야 한다.

The purpose of this study was to suggest the directions of learning community to enhance the quality of junior college education in Korea. The paper reviewed definitions, characteristics, models, effects and research trends of the learning community in college. It also analyzed cases of junior colleges adopting learning community in Korea. In this study, learning community was defined as a strategy of linking or restructuring academic administration affairs, curriculums, teaching and learning, and student organizations connected with major fields in order to enhance the quality of junior college education. Although it is a new concept introduced at first in the United States of America and has been activated in American colleges, it has not been generalized in Korean junior colleges. If Korean junior college adopts learning community successfully in their system, it will develop a dynamic relationship among students, professors and administrators, improve students' retention, develop professionals' teaching abilities, and so on. In order to create and activate learning community in Korean junior college, following efforts will be required: 1)making a consensus among all members in learning community, 2)diversifying leaning community models according to the characteristics of colleges and students. 3)enhancing the supports of academic administration affairs, 4)enhancing the diversity of curriculum and activating linked courses, 5)managing learner-centered teaching and learning, and enhancing interactions through team activities 6)building a system to improve interactions among all members in learning community, 7)strengthening and diversifying relationships with industries, and 8)enhancing connections between student organizations connected with major fields and instruction.

The purpose of this study was to suggest the directions of learning community to enhance the quality of junior college education in Korea. The paper reviewed definitions, characteristics, models, effects and research trends of the learning community in college. It also analyzed cases of junior colleges adopting learning community in Korea. In this study, learning community was defined as a strategy of linking or restructuring academic administration affairs, curriculums, teaching and learning, and student organizations connected with major fields in order to enhance the quality of junior college education. Although it is a new concept introduced at first in the United States of America and has been activated in American colleges, it has not been generalized in Korean junior colleges. If Korean junior college adopts learning community successfully in their system, it will develop a dynamic relationship among students, professors and administrators, improve students' retention, develop professionals' teaching abilities, and so on. In order to create and activate learning community in Korean junior college, following efforts will be required: 1)making a consensus among all members in learning community, 2)diversifying leaning community models according to the characteristics of colleges and students. 3)enhancing the supports of academic administration affairs, 4)enhancing the diversity of curriculum and activating linked courses, 5)managing learner-centered teaching and learning, and enhancing interactions through team activities 6)building a system to improve interactions among all members in learning community, 7)strengthening and diversifying relationships with industries, and 8)enhancing connections between student organizations connected with major fields and instruction.

learning community, junior college