Community Engaged Learning @ SDSU
Community Engagement (CE) describes collaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity.
Service Learning (SL) entails active student participation in intentional and collaborative service experiences that help promote long-term community development and civic engagement. Service Learning projects significantly relate to course content as well as enrich student education through the acquisition of professional skills in a practical (or applied) setting while also satisfying the needs of partner institutions. Through distinctive various pedagogical activities involving reflection, students enhance their sense of civic responsibility, self-awareness, and commitment to the community.
Service Learning Taxonomy
All Service Learning (SL) is community engaged learning, but not all Community Engagement (CE) is service learning. To be considered Service Learning, a course must implement a specific pedagogical approach and incorporate all elements of the following taxonomy:
- Reciprocal Partnerships
- Benefits the Common Good
- Academically Relevant Community Involvment
- Explicit Service Learnign Goals
- Critical Reflection Facilitates Learning
- Integrated Assessment of Student Learning