03/20/2025
By Zakkiyya Witherspoon
The School of Education invites you to attend a doctoral dissertation defense by Danielle Boutwell, “World Language Faculty Perceptions of Implementing Community-Engaged Learning in Post-Secondary World Language Curriculum.”
Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: HSS 451
Committee
Chair: Phitsamay S. Uy, Ed.D. Associate Professor, School of Education, UMass Lowell
Stacy Szczesiul, Ed.D. Associate Dean of Online Education, Associate Professor, School of Education, UMass Lowell
Patricia Fontaine, Ed.D. Professor of Clinical Education, School of Education, UMass Lowell
Abstract
In response to an identified gap in the literature on community-engaged learning (CEL) and its relationship to post-secondary world language education, this study explores world language faculty’s perceptions of CEL through interviews performed in higher education institutions in New England. This research examines how post-secondary educators describe, understand and experience community-engaged learning in the context of world language undergraduate curriculum. Additionally, this study explores how world language faculty implement community-engaged learning into world language curriculum. This examination utilizes qualitative research methodology, using semi-structured interviews for data collection and analysis. The study sample comprises post-secondary educators in world language programs from private higher education institutions in New England.
Over a six-month period, I met individually with six sample participants for two rounds of one-hour long interviews. I designed the second round of interviews as follow-up conversations for member checking to verify accuracy; as well, I examined the depth and focus of the data collected in the initial interview. The study is focused on how world language faculty describe their understanding of community-engaged learning as a pedagogical approach. The results of the study informed professional practice and clarified key recommendations for effective and comprehensive implementation of community-engaged learning in post-secondary world language curricula.