Students learning with communities
The DIT Programme for Students Learning With Communities involves DIT staff and/or students working with underserved community partners (local groups, not-for-profit organisations, etc) to develop real-life projects. This is known as community-based learning, community-based research, and also service-learning. Learning comes alive for students as they work on these projects with real clients, applying their specialist subject skills, and receiving course credits for their work. The community becomes part of the teaching process and benefits from the students’ work. These projects give all participants the opportunity to engage in critical thinking and to develop their social awareness. The Programme for Students Learning With Communities ultimately aims to energise participants to work for social change.
Benefits for students:
• Develop your communication, group work, problem-solving, critical thinking and time management skills
• Learn to put your theoretical subject knowledge into practice
• Learn about real community needs and how you can collaborate to meet these needs
• Develop your social awareness and become a more active citizen
• Get course credits for your work, as projects are built into modules
Facts and figures:
• Approximately 1,200 DIT students were involved in Students Learning With Communities projects in 2010/11
• Well over 100 community partners are involved
• Students on 44 courses, undergraduate and postgraduate, across all 4 DIT Colleges were involved in 2010/11
Contact:
Students Learning With Communities
DIT Community Links
23 Mountjoy Square
Dublin 1
T: 01 402 7616
E:slwc@dit.ie
