Call for Proposals: Appalachian Summit on Service Learning Pedagogy & Practice

Posted by on December 16, 2013

The Bonner Center for Service Learning & Civic Engagement at Carson-Newman University is excited to host an Appalachian Summit on Service Learning Pedagogy & Practice on February 1, 2014.

The overarching focus of the Summit is to create tangible outcomes to assist faculty in integrating service learning into the classroom and initiating greater civic dialogue. The Carson-Newman University community hopes Appalachian colleges and universities, interested in creating a plan to further develop their respective institution’s civic mission through service learning, will consider attending. The Summit is open to both individuals and stakeholder teams. The regional focus will broaden civic development and resilience in Appalachia.

The Bonner Center is currently accepting workshop proposals that meet the following guiding questions:

1. How to coordinate a project or event across multiple courses and disciplines?

2. How do community partners and faculty design courses and work together as co-educators?

3. What is the most effective way to assess the value of service learning for community partners and students alike?

4. What are student development opportunities that link service learning and civic engagement with institutional civic missions?

Therefore, workshop proposals should fit into at least one of the following categories:

1. Skill-based tools and practices

2. Appalachian community development

3. Student Development

1. Anyone proposing a workshop on skill-based tools and practices should be looking to share skills anyone can take back to their campus and community at-large to implement effective service learning. Topics could include: redesigning or creating a course and syllabus to include service learning, how to integrate partners as co-educators, or best practices.

2. Workshop proposals on Appalachian community development could include information such as creating community partnerships, how to develop projects or events in the community across disciplines and organizations, how to effectively engage AmeriCorps VISTAs at their sites with the campus community and community at-large, or how to best assess the benefits of service learning from the community partner perspective.

3. Student development based workshop proposals should provide tools and resources or present research on effective student development within a service learning context that aligns with an institution’s civic mission. Topics could include: reflection, assessing reflection assignments, or developing peer mentors.

Workshops will take place the first half of the Summit, with sessions running from 9:00am to 10:15am and 10:30am to 11:45am. Anyone interested in submitting a workshop proposal should complete the proposal form by Tuesday, December 31, 2013 . Everyone who submits a proposal will be notified no later than Friday, January 10th as to whether or not their proposal was selected.

*Note: All chosen to present will have their registration fee waived.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Anya Piotrowski at apiotrowski@cnvista.org or 865-471-4830.