The Process is Pedagogy: What Does Community Participation Teach?1

Abstract

Does participation in community activities increase the knowledge and skills of the volunteers? If so, which knowledge and skills are gained? What is the relationship between learning through community activities and a volunteer's age, gender, level of education and level of involvement? To examine these questions, data from a survey conducted in a small American community were used. Respondents were asked if they had learned any new knowledge or skills, or had extended their existing knowledge and skills from participating in community activities. The analysis shows that all volunteers increased their knowledge and skills. Most of what they learned was general knowledge rather than specific skills and was not new but extensions of existing knowledge. The question format greatly influenced interviewee response. The authors conclude that people's knowledge and skills are increased by becoming involved in community activities and the greater their involvement, the greater the learning. The process is the teacher!