Cultivating community-engaged pedagogy: a case study exploring student choices with community-based organizations in a volunteer management course

ABSTRACT

Educators teaching at community-engaged universities can benefit from learning best practices to prepare 21^st century citizens. This case study explores why undergraduate students in an online volunteer management course select an organization to complete a community-engaged learning activity. Theory-based teaching strategies integrating the characteristics of quality community-engaged learning are outlined. Qualitative analysis of student reflections resulted in six categories representing student choices including: social connections, exploring interests, positive human connection, organizational engagement, aligning values, and commitment to the cause. The lessons learned can help educators enhance students’ learning by nurturing diverse community connections, establishing student-centered course goals, and constructing significant learning strategies.

KEYWORDS:

• Autonomy-support
• civic learning
• choice
• community-engagement
• partnerships
• pedagogy
• self-determination
• undergraduate students

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).