What is Service-Learning?
Service-learning is a purposeful connection between course content and community activities aimed at enhancing the quality of life for disadvantaged and marginalized groups. This is Achieved through service provision, advocacy, justice, solidarity, organizing, development, and research.
This pedagogical approach is not simply an addition to a course; it is explicitly intended to enhance a student's learning of curriculum content. By engaging with local communities and relevant issues, faculty can help student develop a sense of social responsibility and citizenship, fulfilling the expectation for universities to prepare student for active participation in society.
Benefits of Community Action, Learning and Leadership program (CALL) for Faculty
Engaging in service-learning enables faculty to:
- Expand and diversify teaching strategies, combining traditional instruction with hands on service learning, small group work, and reflective practices.
- Collaborate on integrated curriculum and assessment development.
- Enhance interactions with students.
- Deepen knowledge of research and theory in areas such as cultural sensitivity, civic engagement, and critical thinking.
- Engage in professional development, including research and presentations.
- Build stronger and meaningful connections with local organizations and integrate community insights into academic content which may lead to future opportunities for research, service, and student internships.
- Gain new perspectives on teaching through discussions and continuous assessment.
- Heighten awareness of community issues relevant to academic interests.
- Discover social and student trends to inform research.
- Foster interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities.
Empowering Faculty and Student Through Service-Learning
The CALL program provides comprehensive support for faculty facilitating service-learning courses. By establishing partnerships with external community organization and initiatives, CALL foster meaningful connections that enhance academic engagement. The program also links faculty and students to on-campus service-learning resources, ensuring robust integration of applied learning into the curriculum.