Pixel International Conferences

Post-secondary institutions are tasked with the responsibility of preparing graduates who are equipped to deal with the complexities of the global 21th century social, political and economic problems.  To aid in its preparation, institutions of higher learning have gravitated towards two key pedagogical approaches: student centred learning (SCL) and community service learning (CSL).  Student centred learning helps students to think critically, work independently, become team players and resolve conflicts. CSL, also know as community engaged scholarship, introduces students to the art of working with rather than for community members and prepares them to assume civic responsibilities while listening to the community’s needs and taking direction from community individuals. 

As the facilitator of a required course, Social justice and Social Work Practice at  Memorial University School of Social Work, I employ a SCL approach to help students learn about the rich learning and teaching opportunities in CSL. This presentation chronicles the challenges and successes of undergraduate social work students’ CSL projects; their feelings about CSL and CSL generally, collaboratively experiences with community members and the facilitator’s (teacher) observations and guidance throughout the semester. This presentation is suitable for all conference audiences who are interested in implementing or learning about the essence of transformative motivational education with #noblueprint.