Community-Based Learning: A Descriptive Study on Its Impact on Liberal Arts College Students

Author/Creator ORCID

Date

2019-12-05

Department

Graduate Programs in Education

Program

Masters of Education

Citation of Original Publication

Rights

This work may be protected under Title 17 of the U.S. Copyright Law. To obtain information or permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the Goucher Special Collections & Archives at 410-337-6347 or email archives@goucher.edu.
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States

Abstract

Colleges and universities have long been recognized as a major source of socially and politically active members of society. Currently, the climate surrounding topics of social justice and equity have heightened the importance of implementing community-based learning tools in postsecondary institutions to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice as well as between an academic institution and its surrounding community. Community-based learning was studied in this project as it relates to the impact on college student leaders. More specifically, using the Community-Based Learning Impact Scale, student leaders at Goucher College were asked to rank the impact of engagement in community-based learning on their professional development, psychological well-being, civic engagement, and academic learning. Using a convenience sample of 13 students, this study found an overwhelming positive effect across all areas aforementioned.