Community Learning

Whether it’s gaining cultural awareness through travel, creating public art to beautify a neighborhood, cultivating a community garden, playing a sport, or mastering a musical instrument, these activities provide opportunities for growth and discovery.

Such experiences foster creativity, collaboration, and practical problem-solving while deepening connections to others and the world. Community Learning encourages individuals to explore diverse perspectives, develop valuable skills, and contribute positively to their communities, proving that rich learning experiences truly have no boundaries.

Documenting Community Learning Experiences

Introduction

• Brief overview of the experience
  • Name of the activity or project
  • Date, duration, and location of the experience
  • Description of the activity

Purpose of the Experience

• Goals of the activity
  • What did you hope to learn or achieve?
  • How did this activity contribute to personal, community, or global growth?

Detailed Description

• Explanation of the activity
  • What tasks or actions were involved?
  • Who participated in the activity with you?
  • What challenges or obstacles did you encounter, and how did you overcome them?

Competency Connections

• Reflect on competencies developed
  • Which of the following competencies did you develop through this experience?
    • Communication
    • Collaboration
    • Creativity
    • Critical thinking
    • Problem-solving
    • Cultural awareness
    • Leadership
    • Empathy
    • Self-management
    • Other competencies

Impact and Reflection

(Collect and document evidence that shows impact and use evidence for reflection)

• Impact on personal development
  • What did you learn about yourself?
  • How did this experience change your perspective on the community or the world?
• Impact on the community
  • What changes or benefits did this activity bring to your community?

Future Applications

• How will you use the skills or knowledge gained in the future?
• What other community learning experiences would you like to explore, and why?

Questions for Students to Answer & Submit

1. What is the name and purpose of your community learning activity?
2. Where and when did this activity take place? Was it recurring or a one-time experience? What was its duration?
3. What were your main responsibilities or contributions during this activity?
4. Who else participated in the activity, and how did you collaborate with them?
5. What supervisor can sign off on this activity?
6. What were the biggest challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
7. What did you learn about yourself through this experience?
8. What positive impact do you think this activity had on your community?
9. Which competencies do you believe this experience helped you develop (e.g., communication, leadership, empathy)? Explain your choices.
10. How has this experience influenced your understanding of your community or the world?
11. How can you apply the knowledge or skills gained from this experience in the future?
12. What advice would you give to someone considering participating in a similar activity?