Scott Commented on Blogs # 1 and #4 on 4/21/2014
John Commented on Blogs #1 and #4 on 4/27/2014
Jillian commented on groups 4 & 5 on 4/27/2014

Group #3: Scott -Community based learning module and included the references section, Katrina-one page paper and community based programs module, Adam picked our format and completed who community educators are module and Jillian  completed community based partnerships module




Community Educators Toolbox

Scott Rafalski (brochure module), Jillian Scholten (brochure module), Katrina Owens (one page paper)and Adam Murray (brochure module)

Ball State University-EDAC 648

April 18, 2014

                As a group we have learned of many different community programs, theories and stories of educators that have aided in the success of that particular community.  The most significant ideas we have learned as a group consist of:

·         The importance for community educators to know how to identify the problems of the community and its stakeholders

·         Who the community educators are along with identifying what the duties/responsibilities, working environments and career paths are

·         Community based learning activities which included the four dimensions: duration, scope, intensity and reflection

The most concrete ideas in which we learned from the above referenced were to learn of the outreach engagement, network theories and critical social theories that applied to that particular community.  Secondly discover who the key players are and how one can come together with those to collaborate and develop programs that will address the community needs. And lastly in the community based learning activities project the case studies taught us the overall importance of community involvement.

Attached you will find that our group created a brochure for community educators.  We choose a brochure as a method/format because this is a great tool to use when trying to get others people interested in learning or doing something new.  Also brochures are generally used to deliver a message to people that can be issued in a form of a small package.  From this brochure we expect community educators to gain tools, methods, strategies and tips in regards to community-based learning, programs and partnerships. 

What is a Community Partnership?    A community partnership is created when educators evaluate the community and determine the main problems that lie within. The next step in forming a partnership is finding stakeholders to help solve these problems and bring the community together. Spotlight on a Community Partnership…   The United Way has a mission to help people learn more, earn more and live safe and healthy lives in Central Indiana. A recent Act by the Indiana General Assembly works to increase the number of early childhood opportunities for underprivileged children. This and other similar legislation brings hope to nearly 25,000 children in the state. The primary stakeholders in this operation have been Gov. Mike Pence, Speaker Brian Bosma and Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane, as well as PNC Bank, Indiana and Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, Eli Lilly and Company, and Glick Family Foundation.

Resources for Community Educators          Reed, S.C. & Marienau, C. (Eds.). (2008). Linking adults with community: Promoting civic engagement through community based learning. New Directions for Adult and Community Education, 118. Stein, D.S. & Imel, S. (2002). Adult learning in community: Themes and threads. New Directions for Adults and Community Education, 95. Community education job description. (n.d.) Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Retrieved from http://fscp.dpi.wi.gov/fscp_cejobdes  Van Der Veen, R. (2003). Community development as citizen education. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 22(6). Warren, R.L. (1978). The community in america (3rd Ed.). New York, NY: University Press of America. Zemlo, J.S., Clark, P.A., Lauff Jr, S., & Nelson Jr, E.G. (1990). A new generation of community education. Education Digest, 56(1).

Community Educator Toolbox by John Murray, Katrina Owens, Scott Rafalski, Jillian Scholten EDAC 648:  Dr. Bo Chang

The Community Educator:  An Overview Multiple community educators were interviewed in order to gain an enhanced understanding of their occupational titles, roles, duties, surroundings, and career track.  Items Interview Main Ideas Application of Main Ideas in Practice Examples of Community Educators Program Coordinators, Outreach Directors, Church Leaders, City Officials, School Faculty The commonality is that they are all leaders within the community, responsible for distributing information or increasing public knowledge for communal betterment. Duties and Responsibilities -Educate public on services, events, opportunities -Assess program success, risk, and sustainability -Identify outlets and resources for growth Via recurrent and enterprising programs, help educate and empower citizens to become active participants in social change and community development Working Environments Comm.  Centers, Churches, Schools, City Hall Flexibility needed, Stressful,  Long hours, Logistical issues, Fractured Belief Systems Career Paths Higher education, Community entry-level position,  Possible volunteer experience Various backgrounds, both formal and informal, lead to servicing their constituency in multiple modes

Community-Based Learning/ Service Learning INTRODUCTION: How do Community Educators Organize Community Based Learning Activities from a Micro-Level Perspective? Main ideas/features of Community Based Learning/Service Learning 1.        Developing and implementing a non-profit strategy, tracking daily progressions, and participant relationships are vital to success 2.        Orientation plays a big role in preparing volunteers for their activities. Relationships must be built between college and elementary students to assure success. 3.        Many subject areas can be covered in a community based learning activity as a whole. Community members must be as motivated to study as students. Suggestions for Community Educators:  Keep number of credit hours at amount where students can learn from experience, but not be a burden on other schoolwork. Journal or video journal assignments and final project at end of semester                                                 Be sure to cover as much information as possible at orientation. College students need to be reliable, so that elementary school students are able to find success and build a relationship.   Keep programs very specific to subject-area. This opportunity will increase relationship with university and community. Tools, Methods, Strategies and Resources Community Educators can use……       Have a purpose (mission, vision, goals)- For example unify with the community and recognize empathy for the participants       Make the participants responsible and accountable -Students complete a daily reflection journal, oral review with the professional staff before exiting the facility, 30 hours of service learning must be complete, reflection paper at the end of the semester are all good examples.  Connecting areas of study with the community. The goals vary depending on the issue studied. Gathering information to see how practices and academics influence what is learned from these experiences.  Working with non-profits in the community to collect data, share research and share the results. COLLABORATE!!

Community-Based Programs     Community-based programs play a huge role in influencing some of the successful outcomes within that particular community. These programs also provide the teachings and answers to many questions posed by the society, culture, economy, health, safety and the environment in which it is rooted. The purpose of developing programs, initiatives and projects within a community is to: ·         Increase awareness ·         Prevention ·         Enhance quality of life Below you will find some helpful tips on how you can implement programs, initiatives and projects in your community. Search for other organizations or groups whose mission could be  supported by your project, program or initiative. Define what your targeted outreach community will be  Identify resources and assets-this is to see what is available along with what is needed