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Welcome, MRU Faculty!
Experience the power of Community Service Learning (CSL), where teaching and community impact intersect. Through CSL, educators guide students in real-world assessments and immersive learning, deepening their understanding of course material while contributing meaningfully to communities.
CSL blends academic knowledge, community immersion, and reflection, bridging theory and practice.
By incorporating CSL into your course, students can apply their knowledge to tackle real-world challenges. Completing three CSL-designated courses earns students an official citation on their transcript.
Are you uncertain if CSL aligns with your teaching approach? For guidance, contact the Academic Development Centre (ADC) at adc@mtroyal.ca.
Eager to make a meaningful impact? Consider filling out the CSL Course Designation Request Form.
Testimonials
❝ Through CSL, students start to understand how what we learn in the class makes it out into the real world. When they do this work, they are doing it for a reason, not just to get a grade.❞
CSL Information Design instructor
❝ Just because you can educate someone doesn’t necessarily mean it will change how they act. With CSL, I get to see the change in students as they learn and grow by meeting kids, working in the community, and making a difference in these kids’ lives.❞
CSL Social Work Instructor
❝ CSL courses demonstrate how valuable skills can be learned through physical activity. Meanwhile, the university can scaffold and support this activity, and students are also supported by their mentors in accomplishing their goals.❞
CSL Education Instructor
Frequently Asked Questions
Community service learning is a recognized form of experiential education, drawing from various fields like psychology, philosophy, and democratic theory. It has roots in organizational development and participatory action research. While it lacks a single definition, it's shaped by different traditions and values. At its core, it operates on the idea that learning through experience is crucial. Following John Dewey's theory, it's interactive and democratic, involving students fully and transforming the learning process.
Further Reading:
Stanton, T. K., Giles Jr, D. E., & Cruz, N. I. (1999). Service-learning: A movement's pioneers reflect on its origins, practice, and future. Jossey-Bass Higher and Adult Education Series. Jossey-Bass Inc., Publishers, 350 Sansome St., San Francisco, CA 94104.http://hdl.handle.net/2027/spo.3239521.0006.113
Deciding if Community Service Learning (CSL) is right for your course involves aligning learning outcomes with CSL principles, incorporating a reflective component, and ensuring personal interest and commitment.
To integrate CSL into your course, ensure it meets the necessary criteria: 20 hours of service, 15% of the course grade dedicated to CSL, and a reflective component. Then, apply for CSL designation by completing the required form.
Contact the Academic Development Center for further guidance: adc@mtroyal.ca.
Ultimately, it's up to the professor to decide if a for-profit corporation aligns with the course's learning objectives. Community service learning at for-profit entities is allowed if the service benefits the broader community.
Establishing logistics for a community service learning class (CSL), addressing individual student needs, and handling unforeseen circumstances can require significant time investment. However, carefully designing the course pays off by reducing challenges throughout the semester. With each iteration of teaching, the process becomes easier.
CSL is deeply embedded in some courses, extending beyond 20 hours. In others, it is equivalent to completing a major research paper or project. The level of involvement depends on what best supports the course's learning objectives.
Engaging in CSL may offer faculty potential benefits, such as enhanced teaching effectiveness through real-world experiences, which could lead to increased student engagement and active participation. CSL may also provide opportunities for professional development, including collaborative research and exposure to evolving service-learning methods. It could help faculty build networks and community connections, potentially leading to partnerships and research initiatives. Additionally, faculty may find personal fulfillment through contributing to societal well-being.
Using your professional and academic networks, including alumni, can provide valuable insights and introductions to potential community partners. Websites like LinkedIn can also help you find collaborators. Engaging directly with the community by attending local events and networking sessions allows you to build relationships with organizations that align with your CSL course objectives and are committed to community service. Depending on the type of assignment and learning outcomes of the course, students within the class can also be asked to find a partner.