The eJournal of Public Affairs (EJOPA), a scholarly publication tied closely to Missouri State's official mission, is currently undergoing a transfer to its new home within Citizenship & Service-Learning. CASL's director, Dr. Kathy Nordyke, and yours truly, Charles Whitaker, were previously involved in contributing and editing roles, respectively. We're thrilled to be spearheading the re-launch. The re-launch will also include a partnership with AASCU's American Democracy Project, led by director, Cathy Copeland. Plans are in place to begin the development of a brand-new themed issue, editorials, and multimedia content. Other extremely excellent people who were formerly EJOPA leaders are helping us out as well, like Dr. Rachelle Darabi, and former editor-in-chief, Andrew Lokie. We're very thankful to for their guidance amidst retirement. Stay tuned for more stories and spotlights as our momentum picks up. Keep a lookout in this space for updates on the transfer progress, as well as information on how to be involved, new issue themes, call for submissions, events, and … [Read more...] about The eJournal of Public Affairs is being re-launched by CASL staff
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