Center for Vocational Reflection
Coffee and Conversation
Join your colleagues again on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in the Carlsson Evald Great Hall for weekly Coffee and Conversations. Talk to your colleagues. Enjoy a hot cup of Starbucks coffee ($1.50 for a 12 oz. cup of coffee, FREE for the first 10 people). Indulge in a sweet treat. Stop by as you are able. We look forward to seeing you Wednesday!
Community Connection: Volunteering or Service-Learning?
About 200 students participated in the Community Connection during Fall Connections 2009. One would think this was a great demonstration of service-learning. Or was it? It was a day of service and volunteering. But service-learning takes a new level of community organization.
During the Faculty Retreat, we explored the definition and ideas of service-learning at Augustana. Both new and experienced faculty shared the impact of experiential learning as they reflected on their own education. Defining service-learning and designating courses as "service-learning" were two of the main areas of conversation. We also explored the procedures and processes for a successful culture-shift towards real "service-learning." What can you do? Reflect on ways partnering with the QCA could illumine the content of your classes. Examine the curriculum for opportunities where service-learning can satisfy requirements. Look for moments in conversations to broach the topic of "service" and "service-learning."