Practical training and learning experience always has an advantage when combined with theoretical experience. Students learn and understand more from community support, and community can be of assistance to the students and help them to get occupied in learning. The service learning strategy is changing the ways communities think about education. Community learning builds a healthy relationship and strengthens the ties between schools and communities, and allows the students to attend the local needs of the community and build up their personal intellectual skills. When students get involved in the activities of the community they enjoy the art of giving and develop a caring attitude towards the community.
The educational approach used in this article is learning using community-as-text. Many students in the school are disengaged from the school as they are left to study on their own, which reduces their career prospects. In 2003 the National Academy of Science reported that the schools engage students when they make curriculum and instruction relevant to adolescents’ experience, cultures, and long term goals, so that students see value in high school (Mclaughlin, Blank, 2004).
This method of learning is even helpful in urban education as the communities provide resources and situations for learning; the content is highly focused on the practical community needs and issues. Learning in communities after school timings, and visiting community based venues in school timings is effective to motivate students and progress towards achievement. Equally important is the unique contribution that community-as-text strategies provide to civic engagement (Mclaughlin, Blank, 2004). The community as text approach in urban education improves the school environment, builds a healthy relation with community members, and enhances community life. This approach can be utilized to improve the existing course.
The community-as-text learning approach is also relevant to my educational experience as it helps me develop my curriculum and personality. It also sets up challenging standards to meet in learning. My engagement on working on the practical issues in community will allow me to focus and achieve my goals, build confidence and gain interest in other subjects. My academic performance would improve tremendously that in turn will increase the grades.
Works Cited
McLaughlin, Milbrey., Martin, Blank. “Creating a Culture of Attachment”. A Community-as- Text Approach to Learning, Education Week. 10 Nov 2004. Web. 25 April 2013.
