Walter Sisulu University (South Africa)
The Child and Adolescent Development Service Learning Module, one of several service-learning courses at Walter Sisulu University, is offered to fourth-year Psychology students as an opportunity to do hands-on counseling work. University students visit orphanages, hospitals, and schools to offer their services to children who have suffered emotional trauma. Because they are often close in age, the children relate to the university students. The service-learning module allows students to gain practical experience while offering counseling to children who would normally not have access to those services.
Clinical Legal Education
National University of Ireland, Galway (Ireland)
The Clinical Legal Education program at the National University of Ireland, Galway is the first of its kind in Ireland. Final year students in NUIG's Bachelor of Civil Law (B.C.L.) program put their theoretical knowledge and legal skills to work in the wider community. They undertake "real world" placements on a part-time, one semester basis as opposed to sitting a traditional academic module. They earn academic credit, enhance their practical legal skills and, because most of the placements are with organizations and practitioners that work on behalf of the marginalized, see how law can be used to advance the public interest. Learn more on NUIG's School of Law website>>
Mobile Literacy Arts Bus (MLAB)
Syracuse University (USA)
The Mobile Literacy Arts Bus (MLAB) is a mobile classroom, digital photography lab, art and poetry library, and alternative gallery space. The physical lab - a 1984 Recreational Vehicle Bus - was transformed by art and architecture students to serve the local community in a thoughtful, responsible way, directly addressing issues of access, education, literacy, technology, environmental responsibility, and mobility. MLAB's mission is to provide access to technology and space to the under-served populations of Syracuse, New York. Because it is a moving vehicle, MLAB is able to serve multiple schools, sites, and community organizations with access to this mobile space and digital technology.
In the Fall 2008 semester, MLAB completed its pilot semester at a Syracuse City high school. MLAB hosted a literacy/photography curriculum, where 12 Syracuse University students mentored 23 Syracuse high school students. MLAB also worked with 49 Art and Photography students over the course of the semester. In total, MLAB visited three Syracuse City high schools, and initiated community outreach activities, serving over 200 individuals. MLAB also published the first volume of BALM: The MLAB Journal, featuring the visual and written work of the literacy/photography students. Learn more on the MLAB blog>>
SMExcellence Program
University of Western Sydney (Australia)
Approximately 30% of small-to-medium sized business (SME) owners-managers fail due to a lack of financial literacy and management expertise. The SMExcellence initiative seeks to address the needs of the Australian SME community by providing essential, free and accessible online training as well as a pathway for owner-mangers to pursue formal training at community colleges. SMExcellence combines the latest open source technology (developed by computing students) to provide learning tutorials that contain text, images, audio, and video applications.
Students from the University of Western Sydney have enhanced their own learning by working with over 50 experienced and successful individual businesses to design, develop and deploy SMExcellence. The program provides experiential learning for students from a range of disciplines (including management, marketing, economics and finance, law, accounting, computing and communication). Final year students work directly with SME owner-managers to create the tutorial's content, website software and multimedia applications. As 55% of University of Western Sydney's students are the first generation to attend a university and often lack the social and peer networks to initially gain entry into the business community, the hands-on work experience provided through the SMExcellence program provides students with a competitive edge in the job market following graduation. Learn more on the SMExcellence website>>
Street Law Service Learning Programme
Walter Sisulu University (South Africa)
Third-year LL.B students have the opportunity to participate in the Street Law Service Learning Programme, which aims to inform rural community members about their human rights. Students receive training before facilitating workshops in the rural areas. Among the subjects addressed are HIV/AIDS and the law, domestic violence, democracy, citizen participation, and xenophobia. Students are evaluated on their presentations and they help evaluate the workshops. They also volunteer in Walter Sisulu University's law clinic, where community members can seek additional assistance.
