Every community-based learning course includes these five elements. An understanding of these elements is what guides course development and successful community/campus collaboration. Click on each to learn more and access pedagogical resources.
Throughout the course, students participate in structured reflection which involves integrating classroom learning with community learning experiences.
Community partners, faculty, and/or students collaboratively define and act upon expectations, goals, and learning outcomes through a learning agreement or similar tool. Partnerships are respectful, balanced, and benefit everyone involved.
Faculty, staff, and/or community partners prepare students to learn and work respectfully and successfully in the community and with the community partner.
Course makes a positive contribution to or produces value-added outcome for the community partner(s). To that end, the course is included on the student/community engagement database, and the faculty and community partner(s) maintain a feedback loop about progress toward community impact goals.