Learn to solve real world problems

Many might assume students would shy away from courses that do not count toward his or her degree.

“Service Learning” is a way of teaching students civic responsibility through community service. The problem-based courses offered by the Institute for Community Development within the School of Extended Learning get students to solve real societal problems and provide a fresh outlook on community service and being engaged global citizens.

Problem-based learning takes a student-centred approach that promotes inquiry and questioning on the part of the student to address real world problems. The community service aspect allows students to volunteer in the community to use what was learned and to get hands-on experience.

In the first semester, students take the introductory course that explains various approaches used in community engagement and helps them better understand concepts of community development. The second course is the practicum, where students used what they’ve learned in a supervised community placement.

Students learn skills in problem formulation, data collection, brainstorming solutions, working collectively, naming peer skills and interests, evaluating and selecting solutions, and implementing solutions.

Nantenin Conde, a student in Classics, Modern Languages and Linguistics, says “A course like this is pretty useful to me. These courses are a way to learn how deal with certain problems and outline what steps should be taken.”

Third-year Anthropology student Jade Cambron attests to that, adding, ''This course has completely changed the way that I think I want to be in the world, it changed my initiatives and the end goal ... it has opened me to a whole new way of thinking and approaching problems, and solving problems and working with people..."

Consider registering for these complementary credit courses open to all undergraduate students. They are a part of the regular registration period. Successful completion of the courses is reflected in a co-curricular attestation that can be used as a valuable tool with prospective employers. For more information contact Mireille Landry by email at mireille.landry@concordia.ca or at 514-848-2424, ext. 3956.


Related links:
•    See what other students have to say about the courses
•    Problem-Based Service Learning
•    Concordia’s Institute for Community Development
•    Concordia’s School of Extended Learning
•    Concordia Journal story on problem-based service learning courses