THIS IS A SERVICE LEARNING CLASS!

Service-Learning is a pedagogical method used in credit-bearing courses that is designed with the dual mission of:

1. Student attainment of discipline specific knowledge through creatively designed active learning community based projects and

2. Community benefit through the thoughtful identification and completion of community-based service.

The methodology of Service-Learning requires:

1. A clear link between academic objectives and service experience that is mutually beneficial to the goals of the course and community need.

2. Student reflection as a means to gain a greater understanding of course content and a broader sense of civic responsibility.

The Leduc Center offers resources and support to faculty and student leaders implementing service-learning in their courses and programs. UMass Dartmouth offers service-learning classes, from introductory courses to capstones, that extend classroom learning into the community through meaningful, challenging service.

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1. Site visit

The team visited Carney Academy to observe how the teachers, students, and therapists interact and utilize their current resources. 

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2. Research

Smaller groups collected and organized additional research including analysis of scholarly articles, clinical trials, and precedent studies.

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3. Collaboration with the nursing students 

The design team and nursing team merged to share our previous findings and discuss the next steps.

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4. E4H Presentation

A presentation of the case study MBH, The Center for Autism & Developmental Disorders  was presented by the design team from E4H. this provided us with helpful insight and further understanding of how to design for those on the spectrum. 

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5. Programming

The team split up to organize all gathered information to make it easily retrievable. The program document outlines all client needs and research and will be the jumping off point for the design development.

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6. Concept

The students split up into interdisciplinary teams and began concept ideation and bubble blocking. The first concept presentation was presented to the nursing students and interior design seniors, where they gave advice for room types and layouts.

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7. Schematic

Drew floor plans and solidified needs and requirements of spaces. Basic furniture was placed out to give an idea of the layout, as well as wireframes of focus spaces. These were presented to Carney as the first major milestone to gather feedback before moving forward.

 

8. Consultant Critiques

E4H Architecture reviewed and critiqued each team's design. Each team moved forward to renderings and details based on this feedback.

 

9. Final Presentations

The students visited Carney to present their final design ideas. The community partners had the chance to comment and ask questions, and were given the designs for future inspiration, fundraising, and community involvement.

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