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Service Learning Faculty -
Diana Jones Allen, Ph.D.
Program Director and Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture, Architecture
Read BioMelissa Walsh, Ph.D.
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Service Learning Course(s): • BIOL-3355, Toxicology |
"Service learning allows students to see the importance of what they're learning in class, it's not just a collection of facts. They are learning things that may affect other people's lives or have the potential to affect other people's lives."
Dr. Melissa Walsh started UTA in 2012 as a biology instructor and an associate Chair of the Department of Biology at UTA. Melissa records that the biology department had on and off service learning approaches, but she was adamant on finding ways for students to put their coursework into practice.
Dr. Walsh reveals that she had not yet taught a proper service learning course but had taken a course on service learning previously. She wanted to be a part of the fellows program because she wanted to do it the right way, she believes knowing a little bit is not the same as being proficient.
Her favorite part of the faculty fellows program was the interaction she was able to have with her colleagues across campus. Dr. Walsh expresses that it broke the norm of colleges never talking to each other and never leaving the building. She appreciated the feedback that came from different perspectives and angles in which she did not think of before.
Dr. Walsh believes service gives students the opportunity to put the things they're learning in the classroom into a real-world context.
Dr. Walsh feels that any faculty hesitant about service learning should absolutely start small. She states that making any kind of curriculum modification can be overwhelming so thinking about small ways to build on later would be manageable.
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