TI 0924 - Designing Community-Engaged Learning (CEL): Steps and Best Practices for Creating a CEL Course

Course Description

Community-Engaged Learning is a high-impact form of experiential learning that involves activities “designed in partnership with community organizations to address a community-identified need” (UCalgary EL Framework, adapted from Brown University, 2019). In a curricular setting, these community-engaged experiences allow students to work with and in community, apply their academic learning in a real-world setting to address social issues, and build their sense of civic responsibility. 
In order to make the most of a CEL experience in a course setting, key steps and best practices should be included in the course design process. With this in mind, this workshop will cover the five major components of designing a CEL course, including curriculum design/integration, project/placement development, partnership identification and development, course delivery, and assessment and evaluation. Participants will be engaged in activities and discussion to enhance their learning and, if desired, will develop an outline for designing their own CEL course. 

By the end fo this workshop, participants will:

• Recognize and define the five key steps to design a CEL course
• Discuss the best practices involved in designing a CEL experience with special focus on effective partnership identification and development.
• Engage with the design steps to create an outline for the development of a curricular CEL experience