The Engagement of a Community
The engagement of a community is a process. It is whereby community groups collaborate to solve issues that affect the well-being of individuals and groups within such a community. Several activities provide solutions to such groups. They include transparent and credible reporting, meetings within town hall and collaborative processes of decision making. Organizations that mostly engage members of the community in the process of decision making find efficiencies in the execution of new projects. Such is because they have the social license for proper operation. Such organizations are associated with the development of products that are most innovative because they find balance even if their point of view is conflicting with that of the community. They thus, think outside the box to find new solutions.
Defining Community Service-Learning (CSL)
With regards to some research sources, CSL has several definitions. However, we shall only look into a few of such descriptions in line with our subject of discussion (Brandy, 2017).
Canadian Alliance Definition
According to the definition provided by the Canadian Alliance, CSL is an educational approach which integrates international learning processes and community services. Effective efforts within CSL require members of the community and educational institutions to collaborate towards mutually beneficial outcomes (Uttawa, 2017).
US' Community College Definition
Community Colleges in the US define Community Service-learning as a method of teaching. However, the definition does not only touch on that but also argues that the method combines academic instructions with community service provision. Such is because CSL focuses on reflective thinking, critical, and civic responsibility. Programs for service-learning involve addressing local needs for students in such communities like the development of their academic skills, community commitment, and obtaining a sense of civic responsibility (UBC, 2018).
Differences and Commonalities in Definitions
As mentioned before, I view community engagement as the collaboration of community groups to solve issues affecting individuals and groups within such a community. About definitions provided in the literature, effective efforts within community SL require members of a community and educational institutions to collaborate towards mutually beneficial outcomes. It is, therefore, evident that the definitions applaud the involvement of community groups in providing a concise definition. Other definitions also agree with the fact that service-learning programs address local needs for students in communities. The programs help in developing their academic skills, enhancing their community commitment, and helping them obtain a sense of civic responsibility.
Formulated Definition
While community engagement is a process whereby community groups collaborate to solve issues that affect the well-being of individuals and groups within such a community, community service-learning (CSL) is a learning method or educational approach. This learning method/educational approach integrate local/international learning processes with community service provision/engagement to address learners' needs (Lexicon, 2018).
Reference
Brandy, J. (2017). What is Service Learning or Community Engagement?. Center of Teaching. Retrieved May 9, 2018, from https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/teaching-through-community-engagement/
Lexicon. (2018). Community Engagement. Definition of Community Engagement. Retrieved May 9, 2018, from http://lexicon.ft.com/Term?term=community-engagement
UBC. (2018). COMMUNITY SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM. The University of British Columbia. Retrieved May 9, 2018, from http://students.ok.ubc.ca/cslprogram/welcome.html
Uttawa. (2017). Community Service Learning-Center of Teaching. Michaëlle Jean Centre for Global and Community Engagement. Retrieved May 9, 2018, from http://servingothers.uottawa.ca/volunteering/community-service-learning
