Center for Applied Learning

NCC’s Applied Learning program has valuable impacts on the community, the college and especially the students. We want more students and faculty to get involved in Applied Learning. We believe that it is an important teaching and learning method that helps to build and strengthen communities while bringing the curriculum to life. Applied Learning has been embraced by Nassau Community College for several years. Its formalization came about with the creation of the Center for Service Learning in the fall of 2010. With SUNY’s mandate in May 2015, the Center for Service Learning was replaced to Center for Applied Learning.  Several applied learning activities have occurred on campus. Please browse through our newsletters.

For more information, email Elizabeth.Gaudino-Goering@ncc.edu

 Outcomes

  • Opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to partner with community organizations are provided.
  • Students in applied learning activities and projects are supported.
  • Integrated and linked community service and academics.
  • More faculty utilize applied learning teaching methods.

Functions in coordination with the Academic Senate’s ad-hoc Committee on Applied Learning:

  • Coordinate applied learning activities, programs, and support services
  • Provide the framework and methods to link applied learning with the curriculum
  • Assist the community with the development and enhancement of applied learning
  • Involve, coordinate, and support faculty who utilize applied learning
  • Provide information and resources on applied learning opportunities
  • Develop student and faculty incentives for community involvement
  • Partner with various community organizations and projects

Activities and Tasks in coordination with the Academic Senate’s ad-hoc committee on Applied Learning:

  • Orientation and Training
  • Follow-Up and Monitoring
  • Recognition
  • Evaluation and Research
  • Office and Program Management

What is Applied Learning

Applied learning is referred by SUNY as an educational approach whereby students learn by engaging in direct application of skills, theories and models. Students apply knowledge and skills gained from traditional classroom learning to hands-on and/or real-world settings, creative projects or independent or directed research, and in turn apply what is gained from the applied experience to academic learning. Must be a structured opportunity for students to self-assess, analyze, and examine   The Activity Must be Assessed and Evaluated Outcomes and processes should be systematically documented with regard to initial intentions and quality outcomes.

SUNY Discovers: student research, entrepreneurial ventures, field study, and international experiences. 

SUNY Works: clinical placements, internships, and cooperative education in which  faculty and area employers have jointly developed curricula that integrate classroom instruction and on-the-job experience.

SUNY Serves: service-learning, community service, civic engagement, and volunteerism.

Three Applied Learning Roles - Student | Faculty & Staff | Community

How Can Students Access Applied Learning ? 

Take advantage of NCC's Career and Job Search Platform Vault to learn about on-campus and off-campus Applied Learning opportunities.

You can also also utilize the services of the Office of Student Professional Development and Employer Services.

Applied Learning Benefits

For Students

  • Enriched learning
  • Documented experience
  • Skill development
  • Transferable credit
  • Improved self esteem
  • Critical thinking skills
  • Job contacts
  • Making a difference
  • Broader horizons
  • Improved health, vitality
  • Application of classroom knowledge
  • Civic literacy and skills

For the Community

  • Augmented service delivery
  • Increased human resources for problem solving
  • Better career selection choices for students
  • Increased access to college resources
  • Improved college-community relations
  • Increased ability to hire good students
  • More contributions to meet human needs
  • Increased future citizen support/commitment
  • Expanded roles for student supervisors

For the College

  • Improved public service delivery
  • Broadened conception of educational role
  • Increased learning opportunities
  • Check relevance of learning
  • Improved motivational base of instruction and learning
  • Improved linkages to community
  • Reorients education process to meet human needs
  • Improved community college relations
  • Improved student satisfaction and retention
  • Improved student preparation for work and transfer to senior institutions

Resources and Links

www.compact.org www.servicelearning.org
www.learnandserve.gov
https://www.suny.edu/applied-learning/resources/
https://www.suny.edu/applied-learning/events/
https://longislandvolunteercenter.org
High Impact Practice
https://www.publicservicedegrees.org/volunteering/

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