The Power of Service Learning: OSU-OKC Hosts Annual Conference to Illustrate Community Service’s Impact on Higher Education
Friday, November 13, 2015
The Power of Service Learning: OSU-OKC Hosts Annual Conference to Illustrate Community Service’s Impact on Higher Education
(NOVEMBER 13, 2015, OKLAHOMA CITY) – Professors and administrators from several Metro area schools gathered on October 23, 2015 at the OSU-OKC campus for the 8th Annual Oklahoma Service Learning Conference sponsored by Langston University. Service Learning as an academic strategy continues to be a popular pedagogical tool in higher education. The theory that students can benefit from practical application is nothing new but the theory of service learning applies that practice to bettering the community. “I find that students respond very well to service learning in the classroom because it connects to the different ways their education can make an impact,” explained Rene Hurst, the Service Learning Coordinator at OSU-OKC.
The event was sponsored by Langston University in partnership with OSU-OKC, Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma City University, University of Central Oklahoma, and Oklahoma Campus Compact. All of these institutions joined forces to create varied programming for this very important event.
Attendees were faculty from varied disciplines in hopes of illustrating the efficacy of service learning across academia. The presenters covered a vast array of topics, including best practices for integrating service learning in a classroom as well as examples of creative implementation. For example, a presentation in the latter portion of the day acted as a case study of service learning used in an interior design classroom and how a focus on community service enriched the learning experience.
The opportunity to share knowledge and best practices proved to be invaluable for the assembled faculty. This sort of event is sure to make a noticeable impact in Oklahoma higher-ed classrooms across the state.
For more information on how OSU-OKC implements Service Learning in their academic programs please visit: www.osuokc.edu/servicelearning.
