Education Commons^™

Engaging And Preparing Students For Future Roles: Community-Based Learning In Dit, Catherine Bates

Staff Articles and Research Papers

This paper will introduce the principles of Community-Based Learning (CBL), showing how this pedagogy allows students to use a range of learning methods on real-life projects, preparing them for a changing professional environment and social context, and enhancing their college experience. Lecturers and underserved community partners collaboratively design projects to meet the learning needs of students and to work towards community goals. Through these curriculum-based projects, students develop greater awareness of themselves as learners, and of the role of their discipline in society, as well as building a range of transferable professional skills. This paper will give 2 clear case …

A Recipe For Change, Elena Gamble

Staff Articles and Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Alternatives To Industrial Work Placement At Technological University City, Catherine Bates, Elena Gamble

Staff Articles and Research Papers

In the current economic crisis, higher education graduates need transferable professional skills more than ever. They need resourcefulness, an ability to work reflectively, a sense of civic awareness and an impressive curriculum vitae. This case study analyses how Technological University City’s Programme for Students Learning With Communities provides cost-effective, sustainable solutions to these needs, offering an alternative to industrial work placement. Community-based learning and research involve collaboration between staff and/or students and community partners to design real-life, course-based projects which meet the learning needs of the students and those of the community. The programme not only enriches the curriculum; it …

Technological University City's Programme For Students Learning With Communities: A Critical Account Of Practice, Catherine Bates, Elena Gamble

Staff Articles and Research Papers

Purpose – This paper aims to focus on the process of critically evaluating Technological University City's Programme for Students Learning With Communities after its first year of operation. The programme supports and promotes community-based learning/service-learning across DIT.

Design/methodology/approach – The paper is presented in the form of a case study, wherein the context for the work is outlined, addressing both strengths and weaknesses of the practice to date, and comment briefly on wider implications.

Findings – After nine months an evaluation of the programme was carried out. It identified four main areas where it was felt there was potential for …