Leveraging Partnerships to Support Community-Based Learning in a College of Education

Abstract

This chapter presents a model for leveraging community engagement to support learning in higher education institutions. The model capitalizes on bi-directional and mutually beneficial school-university and university-community partnerships. It purposefully attends to local societal problem-solving. The model uses collaborative and problem-based learning as pedagogical approaches to promote interdisciplinary learning in and about the local and regional community. The chapter provides examples of how this model was applied in third space; utilized the distributed expertise of faculty, students, and community organizations and professionals; and developed technology-enhanced products and processes that impact formal and informal learning of individuals in P-24 and beyond.