By Joe Bandy, Assistant Director, CFT

“Democracy has to be born anew every generation, and education is its midwife.” John Dewey, School and Society, 1889.

Service learning is a social or community engagement pedagogy that combines learning goals and public service in ways that create powerful learning experiences for students, teachers, and communities.  When done well, community engagement pedagogies can enhance student learning and skills of citizenship, open new opportunities for faculty research and teaching, improve campus-community relationships, and aid in community development.

The following guides provide an introduction to community engagement pedagogies and offer some advice on best practices from some of the nation’s most experienced and dedicated educators in the field.  In it you will find beginner guidelines, educational research, worksheets, and other resources that you may find useful as you consider incorporating community engagement into your teaching.

• What is Service Learning or Community Engagement?
• A Word on Nomenclature
• Best Practices in Community Engaged Teaching
• Community Engaged Teaching Step by Step
• Challenges and Opportunities of Community Engaged Teaching
• Additional Resources