In the learning paradigm, however, colleges that have identified goals for learning and student success outcomes and can document achievement will be the most successful. Rather than focusing on the quality of entering students, these colleges will be concerned about the quality of exiting students and how much the students have learned. Under the instruction paradigm, faculty primarily are lecturers. Students often are competitive and individualistic. Faculty members carry out their functions independently of one another.
Teachers classify, sort and grade students.
In contrast, under the learning paradigm, faculty primarily are designers of learning methods and environments. They are managers, promoters and facilitators of student learning. They and their students work in teams with each other and with other college staff. The teacher's job is to develop every student's competencies and talents. Societal and political pressures are forcing community colleges to become more productive, to do more with less.