Shop class as collaborative community engagement

Established studies emphasize the importance of Project-Based Learning and Service Learning for enriched student experiences (Meyer & Wurdinger, 2016; Witmer & Anderson, 1994; gomez-lanier, 2016). Several authors have further combined these concepts into “Project-Based Service Learning”, which “interweaves learning objectives and service objectives to create mutually beneficial environments where community service recipients benefit and the students obtain a rich learning experience” (gomez-lanier, 2016, n. p.). Desired skills, such as problem-solving, design thinking, working and collaborating with others, and community engagement, are clearly outlined in our new BC curriculum (Province of British Columbia, 2017); however, there is little to no academic connection between Technology Education and the concept of Project-Based Service Learning. The purpose of this thesis is to explore precedents of community service-learning in Technology Education programs in BC, synthesize what has given such projects success, and work to create such projects or programs here in the Comox Valley.