Episode 28: Community-Based Learning with Patti Coffey

Guests: Dr. Patricia Coffey

In this episode, Molly Harris talks with Patti Coffey, Faculty Associate in the Department of Psychology, about the practice and value of community-based learning. Patti shares how reflection, storytelling, and active engagement contribute to mutually beneficial partnerships between students and the community, with a focus on the area of prisoner reentry.

See the transcript for this episode.

The L&S Exchange Podcast is brought to you by L&S Teaching & Learning Administration and produced by the Instructional Design Collaborative. This podcast is recorded on ancestral Ho-Chunk land, a place their nation has called Teejop (day-JOPE) since time immemorial.

Join the Conversation

How did this episode make you think? What’s on your mind about inclusive teaching? Respond to a poll using the Spotify app on your mobile device, reply with a comment at the bottom of this post, or send us an email. We may ask to feature your contribution in this or a future episode.

Conversation Starters

1. What does authentic learning mean to you as an instructor?
2. How do you help students manage uncertainty in assignments and projects?
3. How could you incorporate more opportunities for student reflection in your course?
4. What stories need to be told in your discipline? How might you involve students in telling these stories?
5. What questions do you have about community-based learning that someone on campus might help you answer?

Further Reading & Resources

In this episode we mentioned, were inspired by, or wondered about the following resources and topics.

• The Morgridge Center for Public Service offers resources, workshops, and funding for Community-Based Learning (CBL) at UW-Madison.
• The Morgridge Center outlines four steps to designate your course as a CBL course, which can qualify you for funding opportunities and make your course more visible to students.
• UniverCity Alliance connects colleges and universities with local community partners.
• Badger Volunteers pairs students with community organizations to volunteer in areas of education, sustainability and public health.
• Love Wisconsin shares inspiring and meaningful stories from across the state of Wisconsin.
• The Wisconsin Idea is a guiding principle for the University of Wisconsin-Madison “that education should influence people’s lives beyond the boundaries of the classroom.”
• Just Dane supports formerly incarcerated individuals through education and resources.
• The Alliant Energy James R. Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes extraordinary undergraduate teachers at the Universities of Wisconsin.

Production Credits