Community Engaged Learning

 

Community Engaged Learning

What is Community Engaged Learning?

The Lowell Bennion Community Service Center at the University of Utah has the following mission: to foster lifelong service and civic participation by engaging the University with the greater community in action, change, and learning. The University works to support students and faculty in community engaged learning - locally and globally. The Bennion Center recently received a community engagement designation from the Carnegie Foundation - joining 311 other institutions that promote civic engagement among faculty and students. Read more Links to an external site. about the designation and what criteria were satisfied related to curricular engagement, partnerships and outreach.

Community Engaged Learning through Courses

Courses that earn a service learning or community engagement designation through the University exhibit a clear plan for fostering partnerships among community, students and faculty. Through these courses, students are involved in both face-to-face learning with peers in the classroom as well as hands-on learning within the community. Connecting student learning to relevant 'real world' experiences while promoting opportunities for reflection on shared experiences in the classroom serves to invigorate and motivate students and instructors alike. Students at the University of Utah can also join a cohort of committed community engaged individuals through the Service-Learning Scholars Program Links to an external site., which sets a high standard for student involvement in communities through reflection exercises, leadership course participation, an integrative project and a number of service hours in the community.

Please visit The Lowell Bennion Community Service Center Links to an external site. for information.

Creating a Meaningful Service Learning Experience

In March 2012, CTLE hosted a workshop by Nancy Basinger of the Bennion Center on ensuring a meaningful service learning experience for your students. Here is the video of that 2-hour workshop.