What is Community-based Learning?
Community-based Learning (CBL) is an educational approach where students learn through engaging with their local community and environment. Focusing on a real place, real people, and real issues, CBL allows the student to activate their learning in an authentic setting.
A classroom-based approach to learning is usually text-based and limited to problem-solving on paper. In contrast, a CBL approach is about experiential learning: students learn by doing and interacting with their surrounding community and environment. CBL encourages students to explore, investigate, and make sense of their own findings. They practise thinking critically, reflecting on what they’ve learned, and working together to solve problems.