Cascadia's Learning Experience

Unique Learning Environment

Group Work

Cascadia students have flourished in an environment dedicated to learner-centered education. Cascadia believes that all students must develop the ability to work effectively in small groups. Teamwork furthers each of the core learning outcomes and is a strong preparation for tomorrow’s workplace. Employers consistently say that the ability to communicate, problem-solve, make decisions and interact with diverse viewpoints in a group setting is critical to success in the workplace. Students will find classes throughout Cascadia’s curriculum that require them to work in groups on a variety of projects.

Distance Learning

Cascadia Community College offers online classes through Cascadia Online, through WashingtonOnline (WAOL), a cooperative effort among Washington’s 34 community and technical colleges, and through special agreements with other Washington state community and technical colleges. Distance learning can be an attractive alternative to commuting to campus. To succeed in distance learning classes, students need access to technology as well as the self discipline to thrive in a less structured environment. For online classes, students also need to consider whether they have sufficient access to technology. Please see the quarterly Schedule of Classes for course offerings. For more information, and a complete listing of student services and course offerings, refer the Distance Learner page.

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Learning Communities

Learning Communities offer an alternative to the traditional individual course approach. These programs are based on specific themes and synthesize knowledge and ideas across different disciplines to help students understand patterns and make connections among different schools of knowledge, and to intergrate their studies with personal experience and intellectual growth.

A typical program might meet two days a week for four hours daily. The course may include workshops, seminars, lectures, field trips, group projects and writing assignments. Seminars play a crucial role in the learning process, in which participants learn to analyze and critique arguments, critically and debate logically. Writing assignments and group projects allow students to clarify and express their ideas and make connections among many subjects.

Learning Communities represent an integrated educational approach. Courses within these coordinated studies programs may apply to the AIS and AS degrees, and may transfer to other colleges and universities.

Study Abroad

Cascadia Community College, by membership with the Washington State Community College Consortium for Study Abroad, offers quarterly study abroad options. Students are able to earn credit when studying in London, Paris, Florence and Costa Rica. Classes are taught by faculty from colleges in the consortium and fulfill state requirements. Students interact with other cultures, and gain a broader perspective enhancing their learning and development. Three study abroad programs allow students to become more fluent in a foreign language. Cascadia is proud to offer the opportunity for students and faculty to expand their capacities to develop skills for lifelong success.

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Electronic Portfolio
(ePortfolio)

At Cascadia, students develop personalized, electronic, Web-based portfolios to demonstrate their learning. The ePortfolio provides a place to record and store a wide range of important materials and information, including career and educational goals, academic accomplishments, special projects, personal reflections and affirmations from others. The ePortfolio holds tangible products that demonstrate students' skills and showcases their accomplishments. Students create an initial portfolio as part of the College Strategies or Careers in Information Technology classes and continue to add to its content throughtout their college experience. The ePortfolio is an effective way for students to demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities to prospective employers or universities.