The goal of the
EDGE initiative is for GPC
students
to encounter a variety of real-world, leading-EDGE
experiences, both inside and outside of the classroom!
English students try their hand at gardening!
Pictured at the Decatur Community Learning Gardens located on GPC's Decatur
campus from left to right: Dr. Terry Bozeman (English instructor)
and students: Kateevavah Hawkins, Phyllis Speakman, Keith Wellman (with
daughter
Kayla Wellman), Jahmila Carter (with daughter Aniah Harris).
See project description below.
Collaborative Learning
Collaborative learning is defined as any instructional method in which
students work toward common educational goals in pairs or small groups
(Barkley, Cross, & Major, 2005). Collaborative activities in the classroom
are experiential processes that take students out of the passive role of
listeners and put them into an inquiry mode as participants in collaborative
learning experiences.
Problem-Based Learning
Problem-based learning is defined as a curriculum designed to
simultaneously develop problem solving strategies and disciplinary
knowledge bases and skills; placing students in the active role of
problem solvers confronted with real-world problems. (Finkle &
Torp,1995, p.1)
Community-based
Learning:
Service Learning
The goal of service learning is to find ways to integrate meaningful
community service within the instructional process, thus creating projects
that will hereby enrich the learning experience, foster personal
responsibility, encourage civic engagement, and promote the overall
enhancement of our communities.
Community Based Research
Paul (2006) defined community-based research as a pedagogy designed to
engage “students in a collaborative partnership to work on real research
that will make a difference for local communities."
The
following featured projects are a sampling of
Leading-EDGE strategies currently implemented in several of GPC's
English Composition courses. The ultimate goal is to
actively (emotionally & physically) engage students in projects in which
they can take ownership and consequently evoke genuine emotions. Students
are often quoted saying, "school is not relevant to real
life." Project based learning activities such as those described below
attempt to bridge that perceived gap.
ENGL 1101, Spring 2011, Clarkston Campus Instructor -
Mary Helen Ramming
Digital Book Trailer Project - Students are
challenged to produce a book trailer for
the GPC Reads current book selection. Students are responsible for the
planning, copy writing, video taping, editing, and assembly of the
final video.
Dr. Bozeman’s courses this term are focused on how
writing and literacy can be used to address issues of Hunger and
Health in the community. As part of the course students will plant a
garden, write about ways to impact healthier eating habits, and
ultimately harvest food from the garden. A portion of the harvest
will be donated to a local food pantry for needy families.
Learning Objectives:
Development of writing skills
Development of research skills
Development of collaborative learning skills
ENGL 1101, Fall 2011, Decatur Campus Instructor -
Scott Mitchell
In fall 2011, several classes and groups from a
variety of disciplines came together to create a
garden on
GPC's Decatur campus. As part of Dr. Mitchell's course, students participate
in maintaining the garden. Many of the writing assignments are
related to experiences in the garden as well as the larger discussion about
sustainability.
