Community-Based Learning (CBL): A Solution to Managing Learning during COVID-19

Description

Community-based learning is a high impact practice which can improve student retention and engagement, and help students better absorb, retain, and transfer knowledge. This book contains suggestions for working with community partners to offer students an authentic learning experience. Community partners or facilitators present to students with a real-life problem, a relevant question, or a research area related to the course curriculum. Over the duration of the learning period, students apply what they are studying in the curriculum to analyze the problem, reflect on what they are learning, and provide potential solutions to the community partner’s problem or need. In the current situation when students are at home given the effect of COVID-19, there are several problems facing the them ranging from sexual abuse, teenage pregnancies, drug and substance abuse to anxiety and mental health problems among others. The paper seeks to address the most productive way in which students could be engaged within their own communities or networked to share knowledge and intern would productively engage teachers, parents and other volunteers in working with students. The book explores ways in which all students can immerse into deep learning for life-long learning and engagement. It is evident that just a small percentage of learners are able to access online lessons but through the proposed approach, all learners including those from very remote areas would be engaged in learning.