what is it? what is it not? why should i care? · pdf fileapproach enhances learning, teaches...
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Service-Learning What is it?
What is it not?
Why should I care?
I hear and I forget.
I see and I remember.
I do and I understand.
--Confucius
What is service-learning?
• At UMC, we define service-learning as “a
method of teaching that incorporates
meaningful community service with
instruction and reflection activities that meet
course objectives and address community-
defined needs. This “learn by doing”
approach enhances learning, teaches a sense
of civic responsibility, and encourages
lifelong civic engagement.
Communities
• Communities are typically non-profit (or underserved) and the application, in part, is done through service that fills a public good in the community; service that is meaningful & relevant for all parties (community and students)
• Parties involved create a relationship and are considered the recipient and the provider of the service; both are changed by the experience
• Students make meaningful connections between what they are studying and its applications to the community through guided reflective writing and classroom discussion
• “The community becomes an additional text for the course.”
• Community also becomes empowered as they co-develop the partnership and the work from their strengths
• Hopefully students will become more civically engaged, leading to future community participation
Types of Projects• Direct Service
– Gardening at Care and
Share with residents
• Indirect Service
– Growing food at UMC and
donating it to Care and
Share residents
• Advocacy
– Empty Bowls Project –
fundraiser for the Care and
Share
• Community-based research
– Applied Sociology class
doing PhotoVoice project
How is service-learning different from community service & internships?
Learning in Deedwww.learningindeed.org/news/faq.html
•Service-learning links community service and classroom studies
•Service-learning is designed around curriculum objectives
•Service-learning applies classroom training with real world situations
•Service-learning has a reflection component
•Internships are experiential and include a classroom component, but they generally do not focus on service to the community.
WHY do it? It’s not usually easier!
• Deeper understanding of subject matter
• Better class attendance and retention
• Greater curiosity regarding discipline
• Connection of learning to personal experience
• Diversity and racial interaction
• Work place skills
• Community service after graduation
• Civic responsibility
• Development of meaningful philosophy of life
Based on study of 1500 students from 20 colleges (Eyler and Giles 1999)
Other benefits of service-learning
• Career clarification
• Students who are not sure what career they want to choose have the opportunity to experience what to expect.
• For example, a student in a Hotel, Restaurant & Institution Management class may have to plan a corporate convention layout plan for a S-L project. That student may find out that he or she hates organizing conventions. S-L projects let students dip their foot in the pool without diving in head-first.
The Learning Pyramid
Five Key Components to Service-Learning Projects
1. Investigation
• Identify and research a community need
• Identify and research community assets or community partners
2. Preparation
• Develop a strategy for change and a common vision for success
3. Engagement (or Action)
• Implement the service activity to make a difference
• Participate in the service project
4. Reflection
• Reflect on how your service and learning relate to you, your community, and your future
5. Demonstration and Celebration
• Share what you have done and what you have learned
• Celebrate your success!
How do you do this?
Office of Community Engagement
• Assist with connecting you to appropriate
community partners
• Introduction to service-learning presentation
to your students
• Suggest reflection activities/questions
• Provide a survey for your students
• Work with Elizabeth Tollefson and media
What I need from you
• Let me know about your projects at start of
semester.
• Invite me to presentations.
• Provide me with the following data:
– Course name and number
– Project description
– Number of students involved
– Number of hours volunteered
Assessing Service-Learning Project Ideas
• Integrated learning
• High quality service
• Collaboration
• Student voice
• Civic responsibility
• Reflection
• Evaluation