Biidabaan Toronto, May 2007

Community Service Learning

Dr. Darlene Brackenreed

Dr. Julie Corkett

Traditional Irish Proverb:

“To the world you may be but one person, but to one person you may be the world.”

McConnell Family Foundation Grant

Application submitted to McConnell Foundation Generous grant to fund the project, over $1M Special Education / Educational Psychology

faculty incorporated CSL into an optional assignment

Approximately 15% uptake by students

At Risk Students in Northern Ontario

Northern Ontario Child and Youth Health Report (June, 2003)

7-19 years old Higher rates of poverty, suicide, hospitalization,

mental illness, teen pregnancy, and overall less educated in reading, writing, and math

Risk and Resiliency

The research tells us that children and youth have a profound ability to bounce back from many of life’s misfortunes particularly if there is a significant, caring adult to help them somewhere along the way

“Schools can provide the environment and the conditions that foster resiliency in today’s youth and tomorrow’s adults” Henderson & Milstein, 2003, p.2).

CSL at Nipissing University

Partnerships with local organizations, e.g. CFS, North Bay Literacy Council

Common goal of literacy and numeracy Focus on aboriginal students Orientation to volunteering Meetings to monitor students and answer

questions about strategies, etc.

Service learning Assignment In SEP

Preparing future teachers for inclusive classrooms

Case study assignment: 50 % of grade Teacher candidate meets a minimum of 10

hours with student identified by school as being “at risk”

Journal of meetings Academic and social interventions

Service Learning Assignment

Description of student’s learning profile Identification of “at risk” or other Discussion of characteristics and best

practices from literature Description of participating student and issues Discussion of what student is like and teaching

strategies and interventions that worked Personal experiences

Service Learning Outcomes

Overall very positive experiences Large commitment in time Developed insights into the life of a struggling student NU students more engaged in class discussions Many “aha” moments and frustrations, e.g.

absenteeism Pre-service teachers motivated to undertake more

educational opportunities such as workshops, graduate studies

Testimonials

Service learning offers hands-on experience with working with students at risk. I learned the importance of patience, understanding, and the use of explicit instructions when explaining concepts, ideas, and answering questions.

Testimonials

One day she chose to stay and work with me on math when the class has earned extra time for gym. That was very rewarding because it told me that I was making her feel comfortable enough to want to stay and get help.

Testimonials

Service learning was the most rewarding and exciting thing that I was involved with this year at Nipissing University

After being involved with service learning I now want to continue my studies and further investigate service learning and at risk students

Testimonials

Working with Alex has been so encouraging and I have felt more and more like this is what I am meant to do for a living. She was able to embrace the support of assistive technology and even offered her friends insight and technological tours that I think really boosted her self-confidence.

Testimonials

This service learning placement was invaluable to my Bachelor of Education experience and professional development. It was a pleasure to meet and interact with Rebecca. She is testimony to the fact that no person should be defined by their disabilities; rather our abilities are what should define us.

Testimonials

The strategy that Allen enjoyed the most out of the visits was the laptop computer. Assistive technology was used and the improvements in his reading were noted after the first lesson

From our service learning sessions together Sarah became proficient enough in the assistive technology that she began teaching programs like Kurzweil to her teacher and classmates

Testimonials

Working with an autistic student was an eye-opening experience and I realized that I am interested in working with troubled youth who have social behaviour problems

The biggest reward was seeing the smile on Dylan’s face when he had succeeded and I knew that I had made a difference in his life

Testimonials

I really enjoyed this learning experience; it allowed me to experience real life situations, in working with students, helping me better prepare myself before I become a classroom teacher. The experience has given me great insight into what I will need to consider when developing IEP’s for my future students. I strongly defend the position of inclusion for students with special needs, for I have seen how happy Jim (who has MID) is in his classroom, among his peers, on a daily basis

Testimonials

I have seen the difference of making a difference-

That I too,

Shall see and make anew.

Stephanie Valentini