Promoting trans-cultural learning through Service Learning

The University of the Free State (UFS) has embarked on the Difficult Dialogues Project 2013, through collaboration between the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice.

The purpose of the project is to empower staff members to encounter controversy more effectively in teaching and learning and to engage students in explorations of controversial issues relating to curricular content by means of civil discourse.

Dr Deirdre van Jaarsveldt of the CTL can be contacted for more details regarding the initiative.

In support of the project to enhance the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, the Community Engagement and Service Learning directorate hosted a Staff Development Workshop, which aimed at promoting trans-cultural learning through service learning.

The topic was presented by engaging the participants in discussion through the use of various techniques. One such technique was the circle of objects, where participants presented objects of heritage or symbols of their way of life, which they were requested to bring along.

The objects of heritage and symbols of a way of life which were brought along to the workshop

The main purpose of the workshop was to explore teaching strategies which acknowledge the sensitivity related to cultural diversity and also to promote trans-cultural learning through service learning.

The workshop presenter, Dr Deirdre van Jaarsveldt, with some of the attendees during the session.