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Community Engaged Learning

Definition

Community Engaged Learning (CEL) is a pedagogical method used in credit-bearing courses that is designed with the dual mission of:

  1. Student attainment of discipline-specific knowledge through creatively-designed active learning community-based projects and
  2. Community benefit through the thoughtful identification and completion of community-based service.

The methodology of Community Engaged Learning requires:

  1. A clear link between academic objectives and service experience that is mutually beneficial to the goals of the course and community need.
  2. Student reflection as a means to gain a greater understanding of course content and a broader sense of civic responsibility.

The Leduc Center offers resources and support to faculty and student leaders implementing community engaged learning in their courses and programs. UMass Dartmouth offers community engaged learning classes, from introductory courses to capstones, that extend classroom learning into the community through meaningful, challenging service.

For Students

Community engaged learning courses provide opportunities for students to become engaged citizens. The listing of community engaged learning courses offered is updated each semester.

For Faculty

Faculty members interested in community engaged learning can join the Community Engaged Teaching + Learning Faculty Fellows program to learn more about community engaged learning in a group setting.

The Leduc Center has also produced a series of modules to help faculty learn more about redesigning their current courses to incorporate community engaged learning as a pedagogy.