+Building from the Ground Out: Capitalizing on Service Networksto Create Community Service LearningProjects

Deborah McMakin, Ed.D., M.S.W, LICSWAssistant Professor, Psychology & Philosophy

Emily Abel, M.Ed.Academic Advisor & Coordinator, Program Leading to UndergraduateSuccess (PLUS)

+Agenda

Introductions

Service Learning Project Case Example

Project Planning & Development Case example Individual & Group Brainstorming

+Session objectives

Identify ways to strengthen and utilize existing relationships with campus personnel and community partners to reach service learning goals

Identify strategies for collaborative goal setting within the community and higher education

+Introductions

Name

Where you work/what you do

Favorite childhood television show

What do you hope to get out of today’s session?

+Service Learning: Working Definition

“Service learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities” (Learn and Serve America National Service Learning Clearinghouse).

Service connected to coursework

Learning comes from reflection

+The Project: An Overview

6 Rec students middle/high school students visited two FSU undergraduate classes for pre-service teachers

Mini lecture & small group discussions “What makes a good teacher?” “Typical” Day Q & A

+Project Co-Construction

FSU

Rec Cente

r

The Projec

t

+Project Development Framework

PreparationProject IdentificationPlanning

Action

Reflection

Evaluation

+Project Identification (Needs assessment)

• Pre-Service teachers

• Limited community experiences

College students

• Child development

• “What makes a good teacher?”

Course Content

• FSU- Mentoring• Metrowest

Recreation Center

Communities

+Our Project Networks

Alumni (Jessica)

University Career Office (FSU Career Services & Employer Relations)

Colleagues & Existing Programs (Emily & FSU Mentor Program )

+Capitalizing on Existing Networks and Planning: Build Relationships

Meetings and visits

Emily had existing social capital with which to understand rec center organizational culture (roles, power, perspectives and expectations)

Emily as cultural broker

Informed relationship building necessary for needs assessment & collaborative planning

+College Life: Experiences & Assumptions

+Planning: Bridging Needs & Objectives

Exposure to college environment

Experience in a college classroom

Challenge preconceived notions about college & students

• Exposure to middle & high school students

• Experience talking with students about teaching

• Challenge preconceived notions about students, their likes/dislikes

Rec Center Psych of Dev

+Planning: Situating the Project

+Planning: Logistics

Orienting activities

Transportation

Parking

Lunch

April vacation schedule

+Challenges & Lessons“Best laid plans of mice and men often go awry”

Attendance barriers

Limited resources for: preparation action reflection evaluation

Learn about the Rec Center

+Who is in Your Network?

Individually, take 3-4 minutes to brainstorm who is in your current and potential networks with which to cultivate a service learning partnership

Share your ideas with your group; there is always the potential to create new partnerships

+Needs Assessment

Individually, take 3-4 minutes to brainstorm the needs of the community, students/and or organization, as well as limitations and barriers

Share your ideas with your group and learn from one another

+References and Resources

Bringle, R.G., & Hatcher, J.A. (1995). A Service Learning Curriculum for Faculty. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, fall, pp. 112-122.

Campus Compact: http://masscampuscompact.org/

Database: http://www.idealist.org/

Geiger, Elke. Service-Learning Toolbox. http://www.nwrel.org/ruraled/learnserve/resources/SL_Toolbox.pdf