For several years, Service Learning has been alive in different forms in the Maricopa Community College District. The notion of service learning has evolved from Robert N. Bellah's 1985 definitive book, Habits of the Heart: Individualism and Commitment in American Life, to real-life and diverse learning experiences for many of our students across the District. To be able to give back to our communities and to provide deep and meaningful experiences to our students bring about a resurgence of commitment to community as well as learning that is altruistic and motivating.
In many ways, learning activities now have deeper meaning for participants, both faculty and students. For example, if a student were required to do a writing activity in a service learning framework, the result would be more compelling because the learner personally experiences the context of the topic. It is no longer just a writing exercise on a superficial topic that has no personal meaning. Motivation for writing is increased and a sensitivity and clarity for communicating what "happened" to the writer would occur. Learning is no longer artificial, but very real.
The service learning experience contributes to the college's identity to the community. As you read the following stories that students and faculty share, note the impact that such programs have on our various community organizations, truly a positive and renewing mechanism for colleges. This issue of The Forum focuses on service learning as the first in a series that celebrates creative teaching and learning across the district. Faculty and students deepen the meaning of education because teaching and learning now truly impacts people's lives, the future of higher education, and our diverse communities.
As always, we hope you will contribute ideas and topics that you would like to learn and hear about to energize and to celebrate your talents and insights on improving teaching and learning. For our next issue, we would like to feature faculty who have insights and ideas to share about multiculturalizing the curriculum. The topic is especially critical as our demographics continue to reflect a very diverse population. Feel free to A-1 or drop me a note to share any of your exemplary practices or activities, no matter how simple or dynamic they may be.
The Internet Connection at MCLI is
Alan Levine --}
Comments to alan.levine@domail.maricopa.edu
URL: http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/labyforum/Sum95/sum95F1.html