Introduction

It is no simple matter to integrate community involvement into an educational process that students usually associate with their individual improvement. The accounts in this section describe the efforts of four teachers who are using community action projects as real life contexts for their teaching. In each case, the practitioners face similar challenges in getting projects started – deeply held beliefs that things can’t change, unrealistic expectations of what a small group can accomplish, difficulty seeing the immediate connection between these projects and academics, among others. The pieces here describe the strategies educators used to make every one of these challenges a “teachable moment.”

The “prep and practice” activities in the section offer a dozen ways to explore the meaning of community, discuss our social roles and relationships, and envision the world we would like to live in. We have found them to be useful starting points for adults who may have a wide range of experiences and interests in community life. The activities acknowledge these life experiences but also nudge people to look at their experiences in new ways.

Here are some questions to keep in mind as you review this section:

1. Why introduce community connections and participation into the classroom if students’ priorities are related to work and family?
2. What does it mean to develop a community vision or a community project when students often come from a variety of different communities?
3. Is community engagement a goal of adult education? What about people who do not want to identify with community (preferring to focus on self-interest) or who feel that, “This is not my country.”?

EFF Common Activities

_X_ Gather, Analyze, and Use Information
___ Manage Resources
___ Work Within the Big Picture
___ Work Together
___ Provide Leadership
___ Guide and Support Others
___ Seek Guidance and Support from Others
_X_ Develop and Express Sense of Self
_X_ Respect Others and Value Diversity
___ Exercise Rights and Responsibilities
_X_ Create and Pursue Vision and Goals
___ Keep Pace with Change
___ Use Technology & Other Tools to Accomplish Goals

EFF Skills

Communication Skills
_X_ Read with Understanding
_X_ Convey Ideas in Writing
_X_ Speak So Others Can Understand
_X_ Listen Actively
_X_ Observe Critically

Decision Making Skills
___ Use Math to Solve Problems & Communicate
___ Solve Problems and Make Decisions
___ Plan

Interpersonal Skills
____ Cooperate with Others
_X_ Advocate and Influence
_X_ Resolve Conflict and Negotiate
___ Guide Others

Lifelong Learning Skills
___ Take Responsibility for Learning
_X_ Reflect and Evaluate
_X_ Learn through Research
___ Use Information & Communication Technology