A Different Kind of Learning

What is an education apart from a diploma or a title? Why do we care about it? Is our educational system really just? These questions are among a few of the many that OSU Spanish students who were involved in the annual learning community discussed. The learning community is a 15 credit non-traditional theme-based class with the goal of creating a community setting within the classroom, as well as giving back to the greater community in which we live. The learning community encourages students to relate what they learn in school to personal problems and social justice. The class is made up of roughly half Latino and half Anglos students in an attempt to gain a better understanding of the perspectives and experiences of others.  This year’s theme focused on education within the Latino community. Some of our class activities included attending a legislative hearing about tuition equity, writing and performing a play about university life for students from Woodburn Elementary, and meeting with a panel of activists for education in Salem. Outside of class time we were required to do eighty hours of service within the community, as well as carry out a research project, which investigated the academic obstacles Latinos in our community face.

What we learned about the “Latino education crisis” both inside and out of class shocked many of us. While Latinos are the fastest growing minority in our country they remain far behind other groups in academic success. This could have huge ramifications for the entire society if we continue to ignore the fact that we are leaving many children behind. According to the books that we read in class, there are many factors that contribute to this disparity including a lack of social and cultural capital, lack of economic resources, and unfair treatment in school. The research that we carried out in the community supported much of what we read in class.

As our final project for the class we are organizing a local campaign to educate people about the issues we have discussed in class. We will be making and distributing brochures in the community to raise awareness about the results from our research as well as available resources for community members.

 This class has helped me better understand the real meaning of an education; a privilege that comes with a responsibility of giving back to the community and fighting for social justice. The true goal of learning has been lost in many forms of formal education, but being part of this learning community has been a great reminder of what an education really signifies. In the words of one interviewee who participated in our research, “Education means the knowledge and power to offer service to the rest”.