What is a Faculty Learning Community (FLC)?
A faculty learning community is exactly what it sounds like: a diverse community of like-minded instructors interested in learning about a specific topic. FLCs can last from one month to four years, usually have between 8 to 12 participants, and provide an opportunity for professional development through a deep dive into a particular subject.
Bellevue College’s Faculty Learning Community for Service-Learning
Bellevue College’s FLC for Service-Learning spans three quarters – Winter, Spring, and Fall – with three meetings per quarter. Faculty participants first learn theory, then plan a course, and finally implement service-learning within that course. They support each other throughout the entire project, collaborating both within and outside the group meetings. They also hear from guest speakers and have opportunities to do service in the community. After completing their courses, celebrating their successes, and evaluating the overall process, they earn a stipend from the RISE Learning Institute and professional development hours from the Faculty Commons. Faculty, with their knowledge and experience, become ambassadors for service-learning, and thus help spread this effective pedagogy across campus.
What do participants learn?
Topics include:
- Theory and history behind service-learning
- Ethical dilemmas of service
- Community partnership development
- Critical reflection
- Outcomes-focused syllabus creation
- Assessments and evaluations
- Cultural preparedness and team-building
- Accessibility, procedures, legal requirements, and policies
- Troubleshooting challenges
- Campus-community engagement
Bellevue College’s Faculty Learning Community for Project-Based Learning
Last Updated September 11, 2023
