Classroom-to-Community
We bridge classroom experiences and the community by engaging Penn State faculty to create renewable, authentic course assignments that stimulate digital fluency skills.
About the Program
Do you have an old assignment that needs a revamp? The Classroom-to-Community (C2C) program enables faculty to evaluate their assignments and revolutionize traditional coursework into sustainable, empowering student experiences. For more information, contact Helen Hu at huh162@psu.edu.
What are C2C assignments?
Traditional coursework typically involves one-time assignments that are rarely used for anything outside the grading process. That is why C2C helps faculty develop non-disposable tasks that better engage students in a more robust learning experience. With a unique and more advanced approach, C2C assignments extend the classroom’s value beyond course completion by encompassing the following attributes.
Renewable
C2C assignments are renewable in which instructions and student artifacts exist beyond the completion of the course. This may include adopting open pedagogy in the assignment design or making the assignment elements available for other instructors and students affiliated with the course.
Authentic
An authentic assignment experience immerses students in academic activities and tasks that require them to apply classroom concepts to practical real-world contexts. In a C2C assignment, authentic experiences are achieved by students identifying pressing issues within a community of interest and making a positive impact on those communities.
Digital Fluency
Recognizing the dynamic nature of modern education and the growing importance of digital skills, the C2C program prepares students for success in the digital age. C2C assignments promote digital fluency skills by requiring students to leverage one or more advanced digital technologies (e.g., Google Earth, Padlet, Spatial) to complete the assignment objectives.
Program Structure
We collaborate with faculty to create innovative C2C assignments that extend instruction beyond the traditional classroom setting and guide students to make a lasting impact on the communities they serve. Enrollment is ongoing throughout the semester, and the average time commitment depends on the assignment. Anyone interested in participating will present their ideas and may propose a new C2C assignment or re-design an existing one. Once applications are submitted, faculty will be notified with more details on how to proceed. C2C welcomes all Penn State faculty to apply.