Welcome, MRU Faculty!
Experience the power of Community Service Learning (CSL), where teaching meets community impact. Through CSL, educators guide students in real-world assessments and immersive learning, enriching their understanding of course material while making meaningful contributions to communities.
CSL combines academic knowledge, community immersion, and reflection to bridge theory and practice.
By incorporating CSL into your course, students can apply their knowledge to address real-world challenges. Completing three CSL-designated courses can earn students an official citation on their transcript.
✓ CSL is:
- a course that merges classroom learning with community engagement
- available in every Faculty
❌ CSL is not:
- a practicum
- a co-op
- an intership
CSL Quick Facts
- Is available in every Faculty
- Provides at least 20 hours of community service
- Is worth at least 15% of the course grade
- Students gain a CSL citation on their transcripts
Uncertain if CSL aligns with your teaching approach? Contact Christian Cook, MRU's Community Service Learning Facilitator, at clcook1@mtroyal.ca.
Eager to make a meaningful impact? Consider filling out the CSL Course Designation Request Form.
Testimonials
❝ Students start to see or understand how what we learn in the class makes it out into the real world…It highlights that when they do this work, they're doing this for a reason and not just doing it to get a grade.❞
CSL Information Design instructor
❝ For me, just because you can educate someone it doesn't necessarily change how they act. With CSL, I get to see that. I get to see the change in students as they learn and grow and meet these kids [who serve as their community partners] and see a difference in their lives.❞
CSL Social Work Instructor
❝ CSL courses demonstrate how there’s a possibility to learn valuable skills through the process of physically doing, meanwhile, the university can scaffold and support that application, while students are also supported by their mentors to accomplish 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, considering reflective components, and ensuring personal interest and commitment. Contact the Academic Development Center for guidance. CSL courses, partnership development, and faculty support are coordinated by Christian Cook: clcook1@mtroyal.ca.
To integrate CSL into your course, ensure it meets the criteria (20 hours of service, 15% of course grade, and a reflective component), and apply for designation by completing the required form.
Ultimately, it's up to the professor to decide if a for-profit corporation aligns with the course's learning objectives. However, students should not receive payment for their service learning hours. Engaging in community service learning at for-profit entities is allowed if the service benefits the broader community and the corporation isn't profiting substantially from volunteer efforts.
Establishing logistics for a community service learning class (CSL), addressing individual student needs, and handling unforeseen circumstances 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.
In some CSL classes, the service experience is integrated deeply into the course. Students are expected to engage in the service activity with the same commitment as they would when completing a research paper or delivering a class presentation. In other classes, the service component is optional and may serve as an alternative to another class assignment.
Engaging in CSL offers faculty a myriad of benefits, starting with the enhancement of teaching effectiveness through the integration of real-world experiences into academic content. This approach fosters increased student engagement, encouraging active participation and a sense of responsibility. For faculty, CSL provides valuable professional development opportunities, offering collaborative research projects and keeping them updated on evolving service-learning methodologies. Participation in CSL also facilitates networking and community connections, opening doors to partnerships and community-based research initiatives. Beyond professional growth, faculty members may find personal fulfillment in contributing to societal well-being.
Using your professional and academic networks can give you insights and introductions to potential community partners. Websites like LinkedIn can also help you find collaborators. You can engage directly with the community by attending local events and networking sessions. This allows you to build relationships with organizations that care about community service and fit your CSL course objectives.