Collaboration in Learning Communities: Making the BEST of It

Abstract

Modeled on the University of Central Florida's (UCF) Curriculum Materials Center (CMC) in Orlando, the Brevard Education, Scholarship, and Teaching (BEST) Center opened in October of 2005. The purpose of this paper is to describe how faculty, librarians, and administrators representing Brevard Community College (BCC) and the University collaborated to address and fill the need for a local CMC at the BCC/UCF Joint-Use Library in Cocoa. The discussion begins with faculty perspective of the longstanding collaborative model of education, a description of standards and guidelines for technology proficiency, and a recommendation for local technology access and guidance. The next section presents the BEST Center collaborative effort from the librarian's perspective highlighting instruction, access, and service evaluation of in-person, as well as electronic and distance learning environments. The last portion of the presentation will outline the administrator's view of working between institutions and units to make the BEST Center a reality.