Community-based learning courses are academic experiences that extend student learning into the community.
Community-based learning (CBL) entails professional experiences that provide an opportunity to put academic knowledge in practice or learn more about a specific profession. During these experiences, it is expected that students gain intensive experience applying principles of civic and community engagement and/or disciplinary knowledge and skills in a community setting. Community is broadly defined and includes nonprofit, government, business, and K-12 partners. Examples of CBL include, but are not limited to, The Collaborative, research, internships (paid/unpaid), practicums, and other coursework with a community component.
The major differentiating factors for these experiences are that they do not necessarily include the reciprocal or mutually-beneficial partnerships or reflection components required in service learning courses.
Some examples of community-based learning experiences include:
- Internships
- Practica
- Capstones
- Student Teaching