Universities are under increasing pressure to develop program outcomes that relate student learning to the ‘real world’. Community based learning and research (CBLR) provides students with opportunities to relate their classroom learning to community interests, developing their competencies and skills as practitioners of their discipline. A substantial body of research (e.g., Conway, Amel, & Gerwien, 2009; Yorio & Ye, 2012) has demonstrated the benefits of CBLR on student learning; well-designed CBLR courses and programs contribute to the academic, personal, social, and civic development of students.
The objective of this session is to demonstrate the integration of CBLR into undergraduate courses and programs. Participants will be provided with examples of courses that involve local and global community partners and vary in the degree to which they incorporate CBLR. Challenges, solutions, and rewards associated with the implementation of CBLR (Hondagneu-Sotelo & Raskoff, 1994) will be considered.
During the session, speakers will share their experiences as instructors who have taught CBLR courses and as Associate Deans who have advocated for the integration of CBLR into the core curriculum of their faculty. In breakout groups moderated by session speakers, participants will share their experiences, and get feedback on strategies to implement CBLR into their courses and programs. The session will conclude with a summary of the most salient ideas and themes that emerged for participants during the session.
References
Conway, J. M., Amel, E. L., & Gerwien, D. P. (2009). Teaching and learning in the social context: A meta-analysis of service learning’s effects on academic, personal, social, and citizenship outcomes. Teaching of Psychology, 36, 233-245.
Hondagneu-Sotelo, P., & Raskoff, S. (1994). Community service-learning: Promises and problems. Teaching Sociology, 22, 248–254.
Yorio, P. L., & Ye, F. F. (2012). A meta-analysis on the effects of service-learning on the social, personal, and cognitive outcomes of learning. Academy of Management Learning and Education, 11, 9-27.
