Enhancing Student-Centred Approaches in Education and Volunteering
Embracing student-centred approaches in education and volunteering is crucial for fostering a dynamic learning environment. From local to global levels, the significance of student-led engagement is highlighted, showcasing how higher education institutions play a pivotal role in shaping active and socially responsible individuals. The evolution of volunteering practices over the years underscores the positive correlation between education levels and volunteerism, emphasizing the need for continuous support and encouragement. As the landscape of volunteering shifts, it is imperative for institutions to embed community engagement in their core mission to promote holistic development.
- Student-centred approaches
- Education
- Volunteering
- Higher education institutions
- Community engagement
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Best Practice in Student-Centred Approaches in Education and Training 20th November 2018 Giving and Learning studentvolunteer.ie: a Student-Driven and Student-Centred Approach
Volunteering: Globally Volunteering: Globally - - What we knew before www.studentvolunteer.ie www.studentvolunteer.ie What we knew before Outside HEIs, volunteering is distinguished worldwide as a worthwhile activity. 1990s: The United Nations Council of Europe, and the European Union (EU) recognised the importance of sustaining volunteerism in the general population. 1997: The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2001 as the International Year of Volunteers with a view to increasing recognising, facilitating, networking and promoting volunteering as well as highlighting the achievements of millions of volunteers worldwide. 2010: The Directorate General Education and Culture in the EU published its findings on volunteering within the EU. It states national reports have illustrated that there is a positive correlation between education levels and the tendency to volunteer , and, in the majority of EU countries employed individuals are the most active volunteers (Volunteering in the European Union, 2011:9)
Volunteering: Locally Volunteering: Locally - - What we knew before www.studentvolunteer.ie www.studentvolunteer.ie What we knew before 2000: The Irish government saluted and subsequently provided funding to support and increase voluntary activity in the general population. Voluntary activity forms the very core of all vibrant and inclusive societies... In a time of great change in our country, we must work hard to protect and enhance the spirit of voluntary participation and we must see this as a key social goal. The strength of voluntary activity is that it emerges organically from communities. It would be wrong for Government to seek control and be involved in every aspect of voluntary activity, but there is no doubt that it can provide an enabling framework to help this activity. (Government of Ireland:2000:3)
Volunteering Volunteering - - the HE context: the HE context: What we knew before before www.studentvolunteer.ie www.studentvolunteer.ie What we knew HE student volunteering and student led engagement both inside and outside Ireland is rooted in the history and development of higher education institutions. HE student volunteers are for the most part self-directed and either respond to volunteer opportunities created by internal and/or external communities and/or create their own volunteer opportunities. The most common example of student-led engagement activities prior to www.studentvolunteer.ie are student clubs and societies, charity week, student-led fund raisers etc.
What changed? HEI Student Volunteering: Context & Drivers 2011: Higher Education (HE) Engagement with the wider community must become more firmly embedded in the mission of higher education institutions (National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030, 2011:21). Campus Engage: Based at the Irish Universities Association, Campus Engage is a national initiative which supports the implementation of civic and community engagement practice and national higher education policy across the Irish higher education system: service learning/community based learning, student volunteering, community engaged research and knowledge exchange and sharing, 2013: Campus Engage - National Student Volunteer Convenors focus on the development of civic engagement through student volunteering across the sector. 2015: National Student Volunteer Working Group established 2016: Studentvolunteer.ie launched one-stop shop for HEI students/HEI civic engagement practitioners/community organisations on and off campus. 2016: Over 50% of Students in Higher Education in Ireland have done, are doing or plan on doing volunteer work (Irish Student Survey of Student Engagement 2016 (ISSE) (29,000 participants). 2018: HEA Systems Performance Framework: OBJECTIVE 2 - Creating rich opportunities for national and international engagement which enhances the learning environment and delivers a strong bridge to enterprise and the wider community .
Campus Engage: Student Volunteering National Working Group Campus Engage promote civic and community engagement as a core function of Higher Education through Teaching, Research & Volunteering. National Volunteer Working Group: HE civic engagement practitioners driving student volunteer policies and practices, and student and community engagement across the sector. Working Group: 11 members including 7 universities, DIT, IT Tralee, IT Tallaght & LIT
VWG VWG Achievements to Achievements to- -date 2012: 1st discussion and proposal for development and delivery of a national online student volunteer management system. 2013: 1st National Working Group Meeting Work plan agreed development and delivery of national online student volunteer management system. 2014: National Working Group Convenors Developed and presented proposal and secured agreement from local institution and Campus Steering Group for the design and delivery of a national student volunteer online management system. 2014-2015: National Working Group Convenors: Designed and appointed Kooba Tech Company to construct 1st national online higher education student volunteer management system. Engaged HE students and community/voluntary sector through seminars/information sessions to secure their support and engagement. Secured support of significant HE and IT partners. 2016: National Working Practitioner Group Tested and Launched www.studentvolunteer.ie across a number of HE Partner Institutes September 2016, first community organisations and students sign-on to studentvolunteer.ie date (very briefly)
What is StudentVolunteer.ie? StudentVolunteer.ie is a shared online management platform that: 1. Enables community organisations both on and off campus to promote their organisations and opportunities to HE students locally and nationally, engage and manage volunteers and approve volunteer hours. 2. Permits HE students (i.e. student unions, individual/groups of students) to create and promote student led volunteer opportunities to HE students locally and nationally, manage student volunteers and approve their volunteer hours. 3. Facilities HE students to apply for volunteer opportunities on and off campus, log their volunteer hours, reflect on their volunteer practices and apply for volunteer awards. 4. Assists HE Civic Engagement Practitioners to administrator, manage, track, report and research HE civic engagement volunteer practices and to respond with evidence based policies and practices. 5. Profiles the very positive and valuable contribution HE students make to their institutions and to their local, national and international communities.
Studentvolunteer.ie Studentvolunteer.ie yearly quanitative data: yearly quanitative data: student registrations student registrations 5000 4417 4416 4403 4500 3806 4000 3500 3000 Student Registrations 2500 Student Applications 1932 1878 2000 1500 1000 500 0 2015-2016 2017 Nov-18
Studentvolunteer.ie Studentvolunteer.ie quantitative data 10,602 registered HE students volunteers www.studentvolunteer.ie quantitative data 93,364 recorded volunteer hours www.studentvolunteer.ie 813 1,343 registered opportunities registered organisations
Studentvolunteer.ie - - some qualitative insights some qualitative insights: : The Community Practitioner Perspective: Willingness of students to respond to calls for support I have been really impressed with how eager the students have been to sign up. I have accepted 9 students and that is enough for me . Studentvolunteer.ie A structured organised approach. There is enormous value in this site for community & voluntary organisations. It readily facilitates volunteer recruitment & management, it s cost-neutral and it s gives you access to a vast resource in our city the student population. The student volunteer s commitment and willingness to learn is just exceptional .
Studentvolunteer.ie - - some qualitative insights some qualitative insights: : The HE Civic Engagement Practitioner Perspective: What motivates students to volunteer? Acquiring work-related transferrable skills. Being asked to get involved, to make a contribution, offer their insights Building a practice based C.V. Doing something positive with their spare time Giving something back to HEIs and/or community based organisations Having their contribution recognised Making a difference Sustaining the spirit of volunteering Structured supports - studentvolunteer.ie & civic engagement practitioners. What we are learning about HE students: Potential massive human resource Prepared to give up their free time to help out on and off campus Willing to reschedule their down time get up early, give up their sleep, give up their couch time Committed individuals Naturally disposed to sharing their insights, skills and time Pleased to be asked to help out and happy to be respected in the process .
Studentvolunteer.ie - - some qualitative insights some qualitative insights: : The HE Student Perspective: Volunteer and Career Choices - I believe the volunteer experience has benefited me immensely and I hope to engage in other volunteering opportunities in the future. I really enjoyed working with others for the greater good and I am considering becoming involved in organisation which allow me to pursue that goal. The volunteer experience has made me contemplate becoming involved in programmes such as the UN fellowship programme and other organisations with similar objectives. (4th Year male business student). Studentvolunteer.ie - I wanted to volunteer but didn t know how to go about it until a fellow student showed me the system. I know what is on offer, can apply and log my hours and apply for a volunteer award (2nd Year female science student). Experiential Learning My experience volunteering has opened my eyes to the extensive work that goes on behind the scenes of forming and running a society on a day to day basis . Volunteering creates a different practical learning experience while also providing a valuable resource to clubs, societies and organisation on and off campus. Make friends Volunteering is a great opportunity to make friends, it broadens your perspective on the world, and makes you appreciate what you have. It s an opportunity to put a smile on someone s face (4th year male social science student)
Studentvolunteer.ie - - some qualitative insights some qualitative insights: : The HE Perspective: Develop personally and professionally In Trinity College Dublin, we are extrememly proud of the extracurricular activity undertaken by students which ensuress a vibrant campus and offers students diverse opportunities for learning, social development and personal growth. We encourage all out students to engage in extracurricular activity, whether in College or in the wider community, as it s a rich and rewarding experience and one that will stand to students in their personal and professional lives (Prof. Kevin O Kelly, Dean of Students, Trinity College Dublin) Studentvolunteer.ie - Supporting students to engage with local community groups through volunteering is crucial to our aim of being embedded and relevant to the region and out local community. This platform allows students to maximise their involvement in volunteering, find roles that will serve their goasl and be acknowledged and rewarded for their contribution (Brian Norton, President, Dublin Institute of Technology) Studentvolunteer.ie - LIT are delighted to become part of a shared network which will support and enhance our work for the benefit of the students and LIT. We expect that this system will allow student volunteerism in LIT to grow and develop (Mary Nash, Limerick Institute of Technology Acceess Project Officer and studentvolunteer.ie/LIT administrator)
Where to from here? Locally develop partnerships with local organisations to ensure there are sufficient opportunities to meet the demand from students Nationally to increase volunteering opportunities for students, it would be our aim to have all 26 higher education institutes in Ireland registered to studentvolunteer.ie Internationally - Expand the studentvolunteer.ie platform globally
What it tells us: Relflective portfolio Relflective practice but not one that attract academic credit honesty, learning, What can we do with that information. Volunteering provides creates a different practical learning different while also providing a valuable resource to clubs, societies and organisation on and off campus. -
Thank you! Holly Dignam Gabriella Hanrahan Holly.dignam@ucd.ie Gabriella.hanrahan@ul.ie Student Volunteer Recruitment Officer/Community Engagement Officer Community Liaison Officer/PVA Co-ordinator An Oifig Caidrimh don Phobal Community Liaison Office UCD in the Community University College Dublin University of Limerick 01 716 2409 061 233 739
