Relatedness does mediate participation in formal learning communities and therefore academic development and job preparation. Participation in formal learning communities is associated with a bigger sense of relatedness, which is associated with better response variable effects.

Relatedness as a Mediator of Participation in Formal Learning Communities

Participation in a formal learning community did not have a significant effect on academic development and its effect on job preparation was barely significant. Relatedness is the best predictor of the academic development and job preparation, so SDT is probably what explains the benefits associated with cohorts.

University of Rochester

1. gains in "practical competence and general education"
2. improved skill in reading, writing, decision making, oral presentations
3. good environment for networking, intellectual security

 Positive Effects of Learning Communities

Focuses on the need of an individual to be connected to others/be involved in a social environment (Ryan & Deci, 2000a; Ryan et al., 2006).

Relatedness in SDT

Beachboard, M. R., Beachboard, J. C., Li, W., &amp; Adkison, S. R. (2011). Cohorts and Relatedness: Self-Determination Theory as an Explanation of How Learning Communities Affect Educational Outcomes. Research in Higher Education, 52(8), 853–874. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-011-9221-8 

Cohorts and Relatedness: Self-Determination Theory as an Explanation of How Learning Communities Affect Educational Outcomes

Relatedness Accounts for Benefits from Learning Communities

The satisfaction of the three needs in SDT (autonomy, competency, relatedness), results in a better mood, vitality, physical systems, and self-esteem. In contrast, activities and contexts that limit these three needs, have a negative impact on an individual (Adie, Duda, & Ntoumanis, 2008; Ryan & Deci, 2000c).

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