3 Community-Based Learning Benefits

Community-based learning has many benefits for both students and faculty. According to the University of Washington, community-engaged courses combine service in the community with structured preparation and reflection opportunities and address concerns that are identified and articulated by the community.

Why get involved?

• Relationships: Develop connections with community members and nonprofit organizations; learn from them.

• Personal and professional development: Experience new things, and explore a type of career or area of interest; develop your resume.

• Belong to the community: Get outside the university bubble, and explore the city, different parts of the community, and its landscape of complex realities.

• Contribute to necessary social change: Get involved in/with a community, and contribute to creating the differences that they have determined are necessary.

Indeed, while working with a community partner, students can develop meaningful relationships with possible future employers, customers, clients, and colleagues. Community-based learning enables students to apply what they are learning in the classroom to improve the community, build self-awareness, and develop professional and personal skills they will need in the workplace. Community-based learning also provides a deeper connection to the course content by encouraging students to apply their classroom knowledge to a real-world setting and critically reflect on their work.  Community-based learning also promotes active learning and high levels of class engagement. Students can improve critical thinking, problem-solving, presentation, and teamwork. They can experience what it is like to work on real problems relevant to their discipline and reflect on that learning in a safe and supportive environment. CBL also creates a more interactive and inclusive classroom atmosphere in which students are more valued and heard.