The Engaged Campus

“Writing is an excellent way to think through ideas and develop new approaches.” Exactly, Clint, your post nailed it. As service-learning practitioners we know the value of critical reflection and we go to great lengths to ensure our students have that opportunity. Why, then, do we rarely take time to reflect on our own work?

We’re busy, we’re on too many committees, and many times we do what we can just to make it to the next day with our sanity intact. The Engaged Campus blog proposes a radical notion: That we slow down long enough to recognize, value, and discuss our important work.

Welcome to the next level of commitment.

Gail has picked a very apt first topic:  why, indeed, should we spend time blogging?   I think that through writing we can come to better understanding of service learning education, how it shapes the lives of our students, and how we can better engage students in learning through their service.  Writing is an excellent way to think through ideas and develop new approaches.  A blog such as “The Engaged Campus,” in other words, not only allows us to read the ideas of other people, but allows us to join in the conversation as a whole.  Participatory writing such as blogging is an efficient way to get many people involved in a common project, in other words.

I am looking forward to this project and the great ideas and thought it is sure to generate.