Dr. Kathy Nordyke has been busy lately. Not to say that supporting service-learning across all of Missouri State's campus isn't already enough. But in less than a year's time, the Citizenship & Service-Learning director has also added oversight of the Fuse program, operating the eJournal of Public Affairs (EJOPA), and co-leading the multi-year long, university-wide Carnegie Re-Classification for Community Engagement to her list of responsibilities. We have an opportunity to help create stronger connections between student work or research and addressing real issues in the community On the surface, it's easy to say that this all serves to underscore her commitment to serving the university's public affairs mission. That's certainly part of the equation, but the rest reveals a more complex strategy: a future that envisions more holistic and highly connective forms of service-learning. When asked, Dr. Nordyke defines it as a civic engagement mindset: "With attributes of civic engagement at the front of the thought process, we have an opportunity to help create stronger … [Read more...] about Civic engagement through strategic programming
We live in a constantly changing society that demands us to be open-minded and adaptable. Seeing things through a new lens or perspective is vital in today's world. We believe service-learning can help improve these essential abilities. Through experiential learning - we develop both skill and empathy through hands-on practices in the community. But that second part is not quite complete without also being able to recognize our personal biases. That's why we believe the Fuse program is an excellent addition to service-learning's programming. Service-learning offers an opportunity for individuals to step out of their comfort zones and gain a new perspective on the world around them. It can help shift narratives by introducing new ideas and experiences that challenge our preconceptions and biases. And now, service-learning feels more complete with the inclusion of Fuse principles and activities. The Fuse program offers new media methods for making these activities easier and more accessible, from card games to podcasts, there's a lot to explore -- take a … [Read more...] about The Fuse program gets a refresh with service-learning
Service-learning is an academic method that provides students college credit opportunities to engage in meaningful, community-driven work. Plus, it helps develop important academic and social skills related to the classes they are already enrolled in. There are a variety of excellent, long-form academic resources about the pedagogy of service-learning. But what if you've only got a few minutes to spare? Well, we try to offer resources for everyone. Take a look below for three quick tips for optimizing service-learning. Start small Keep the service-learning experience within the scope of the primary learning objectives of your class. Nothing too overwhelming. Plus, we've done the work in organizing a list official SLOs and competencies, located on our faculty page. Make it relevant Choose a local organization or a cause that aligns with your students' interests. Help students see the real-world application of what they’re learning. Take a look at the partner and placements page for a list of who we regularly work with. Or, you're welcome to talk to us here at the CASL office … [Read more...] about Use service-learning to your advantage with 3 quick tips