Youth and Community Programs

Youth Workers and Community Development Workers are expected to develop and implement a range of youth and community programs that are underpinned by practices that use informal and applied learning approaches to build robust programs. In this unit, students develop knowledge and understanding of the nature of experiential learning and non-formal education as tools to engage and re-engage with people at-risk. Topics covered include: using experiential learning practices to work in youth and community settings; understanding attitudinal and motivational factors in learning; engaging and building connections with people, including considering the diversity of learners and their learning. Throughout the unit, students review and critique a range of theoretical learning models which are underpinned by experiential learning theory and practice in order to gain skills and competencies for working effectively with people. Students then link this understanding to the building of programs.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Integrate experiential and applied learning as it relates to the development and delivery of youth and community programs
2. Evaluate the delivery of programs with groups of people using experiential and applied learning models
3. Explain how programs built within a practice framework can improve the capacity of people to build social capital in communities
4. Design a program using youth and/or community development frameworks; and
5. Conduct a targeted learning activity.