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FAQs

What is Community Service Learning?

"Community Service-Learning (CSL) is an educational approach that integrates service in the community with intentional learning activities. Within effective CSL efforts, members of both educational institutions and community organizations work together toward outcomes that are mutually beneficial.
Known by a variety of terms (e.g., service-learning, community-based learning), CSL programs are most effective when they include key elements drawn from experiential education theory, especially developing critical thinking and intentionally facilitating reflection.  Carefully designed and implemented CSL programs and courses assist students to make meaning from their community experiences, to connect experience outside of the classroom to more theoretical study, and to develop as individuals in relation to their values, their sense of social responsibility, and their leadership skills."[1]

 

How does volunteering differ from Community Service-Learning?

Volunteering is action that meets the needs of the agency. Community Service-Learning is integrated into and enhances the academic curriculum of students engaged in service. Service-learning provides structured time for thoughtful planning of the service project and guided reflection by participants on the service experience. In the Douglas College context, students undertake Community Service-Learning as a planned part of thetheir program study in that the experiences are included within Curriculum Guidelines. Overall, the most important feature of effective service-learning programs is that both learning and service are emphasized.

What is Community-Based Research?
Characteristics of CBR:

• "Community situated -begins with a research topic of practical relevance to the community (as opposed to individual scholars) and is carried out in community settings.
• Collaborative -community members and researchers equitably share control of the research agenda through active and reciprocal involvement in the research design, implementation and dissemination.
• Action-oriented -the process and results are useful to community members in making positive social change and to promote social equity.

• The relevance of the research topic is identified or verified by community members.
• The resources of research (financial, expertise, etc.) are shared with community members, particularly those most affected by the research topic.
• The research process recognizes and utilizes the expertise that community members have.
• The research process recognizes and addresses power imbalances between researchers and community members.
• The research process is driven by values, including: empowerment, supportive relationships, social change, learning as an ongoing process and respect for diversity.
• The research process and results are accessible and understandable to community members.
• The research process and results consider and adapt to the context in which the research is conducted.
• The research leaves a legacy, both in terms of the utilization of research results, as well as in the future collaboration among partners. "[2]
• See also the following link for a helpful schematic: http://www.mhanet.ca/cbr/cbr.php

Can projects include elements of both CSL and CBR?

Yes. Dependent on the elements of the project, students can be involved in assisting with CBR projects, as part of a CSL experience.

How do I get involved in Community -Based Research?

You must be enrolled in a Douglas College course that includes CSL as a learning experience. Your course instructor will provide information about possible CSL experiences.

You must meet the Criteria for Inclusion of Students in CBR Projects .
What is my  responsibilities  as a student and that of  the agency, the CHCP and  the faculty?

• See CBR Roles and Responsibility:R+R Agencies
• See CBR Roles and Responsibility: R+R CHCP
• See: CBR Roles and Responsibility: R+R Faculty
• See: CBR Roles and Responsibility:R+R Students

All of my courses are at the New Westminster Campus, yet the Centre for Health and Community Partnerships is at the David Lam Campus. Do I have to go there?

The CHCP acts as an organizing hub for CSL and CBR experiences. The experiences themselves take part in the community. For the most part, you will not be required to go to the CHCP. Contact can be through email or telephone, unless a specific meeting with you is requested.

[1] Retrieved from  http://www.communityservicelearning.ca/en/welcome_what_is.htm June 29 2009