Students Learning With Communities - Learning from community-based learning at DIT
Catherine Bates (Dublin Institute of Technology), Elena Gamble (Dundalk Institute of Technology)
Abstract
This presentation by staff from the Programme for Students Learning With Communities in Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) will provide a brief overview of how one multi-disciplinary community-based learning project is evolving from a strategic decision to build links with one particular Dublin inner-city community.
The Programme for Students Learning with Communities in DIT, was set up to build on and support existing work by lecturers and students in community-based learning and research, and to foster new projects and new community links. In community-based learning, lecturers work with community partners to design projects which meet the learning needs of the students, and the needs of the community. The students benefit by practicing their subject skills for, and learning from, real clients, and receive course credits for their work. The community benefits from the students’ knowledge and work, as well as by becoming part of the teaching process and helping to influence third level thinking.
This session will start by outlining how this project originated. As there are currently lecturers from several disciplines interested in getting involved in the project, next we will consider the modules they are looking to adapt. We will finish with a summary of the almost infinite possibilities which the project offers for future development. Our presentation will also highlight the benefits of having a central office for community-based learning in a third level institution, to facilitate this multi-disciplinary approach.
The presentation will provide invaluable insights into this way of working for lecturers, community members, researchers and students, as well as an opportunity to share ideas.
