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The aim of the course, "Education and the Development of Social Competencies," is to explore what is involved in the process of developing social competencies relevant to the demands of effective citizenship in Trinidad and Tobago (or in the Caribbean today). This paper explores the rationale in revisiting the course and for undertaking departures from that which existed previously. One central concern was that students should engage in intensive practical experiences in groups, the requirements of building a learning community. Building learning communities in schools, in disciplinary groupings, and generally among educators appears to us as essential to being effective or socially competent in our space, whether envisaged on the national, regional, or international level. The key research question is: How comfortable are students and lecturers with the efforts at building community traced over the years 2010 to 2012, in reference to the course "Education and the Development of Social Competencies"? Data comprised lecturers' and students' comments, test and assignment scores, and group evaluations, where students assessed each other. This article discusses the reflections and experiences of three cohorts of students and lecturers as the journey into building a learning community unfolded |
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