Community Service Learning (CSL) is a form of experiential learning that connects course content with real-world community engagement. Through CSL, students apply academic concepts in meaningful ways while contributing to community-identified opportunities.
Students participating in CSL complete graded assignments that encourage reflection and critical thinking — helping them connect classroom learning with their experiences in the community.
Incorporating CSL into your course structure can offer a variety of benefits for a dynamic and impactful learning environment.
By deepening your curriculum to incorporate real-world issues and community needs you enrich your own experience through meaningful engagement interaction, contributing to your community and making a positive impact in your field.
By linking your course content with community-based experiences you deepen understanding through application, strengthening skill development, memory retention and future application, all while maintaining academic rigour.
By engaging students with combined theory and practice, you are supporting improved learning outcomes by providing opportunities to apply course concepts in real-world settings. CSL can boost academic motivation, leading to increased retention and completion rates while setting students up for success when they enter the career force.
CSL creates mutually beneficial connections with community organizations by creating opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and long-term partnerships.
CSL incorporates key principles of Universal Design for Learning by providing diverse ways for students to engage, demonstrate learning and build skills. By creating authentic, relevant and practical learning experiences, CSL enhances accessibility and inclusive learning, offering a multifaceted learning approach, catering to diverse needs and learning styles.
Incorporating CSL into your course structure can provide faculty with fostering research opportunities and potentially leading to funding through development of innovative curriculum and teaching methods, access to real-world data and context, and opportunities for connections and collaborations with community partners.
Are you interested in incorporating Community Service Learning into your course? The CSL office is here to support you!
If you are interested in incorporating CSL into your course, the Community Service Learning Placement Coordinator can provide support with everything, including but not limited to the following:
If you’re ready to get the process started to incorporate CSL into your course, reach out to the Community Service Learning Placement Coordinator by email at novella.nicchitta@smu.ca. The Placement Coordinator will send you a digital information packet with more information and will reach out to set up a time to meet and discuss ways to tailor CSL into your course.
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