Developing a Service Learning Program

On a Community College Campus

What is Service Learning? Combining learning with service

Community service Instruction Reflection

Aims Meaningful learning experience for students Introduces civic engagement and civic responsibility Strengthens connections to the community

Benefits of Service Learning Students

Leadership development

Volunteer service

Connecting knowledge with application

Benefits of Service Learning Campus

Connections between students

Faculty and staff involvement

Connection with the community

Benefits of Service Learning Community

Association with students

Association with campus personnel

Exposure for community programs

Service Learning Standards Meaningful and personally appropriate service Connection with course curriculum Reflection Diversity and mutual respect Student involvement in planning through evaluation Collaborative community partnerships Quality, ongoing evaluation Addresses community needs

http://www.servicelearning.org/instant_info/fact_sheets/k-12_facts/standards

The Social Change Model Combines leadership with service for social change

A process Values based: individual, group, community Collaborative Impacts change Community involvement

http://socialchangemodel.org

The Social Change Model: 7 Cs for Change

The Social Change Model and Service Learning StandardsSocial Change Model Service Learning StandardsIndividual Values

Consciousness of Self Reflection, both written and oral; understand project in relation to underlying societal issues

Congruence Examine preconceptions; explore roles; understand multiple perspectives; understand and value diversity

Commitment Interesting and engaging service; personally relevant service

Group ValuesCollaboration Trusting and supportive environment; develop interpersonal,

conflict, and group decision making skillsCommon Purpose Establish shared vision and common goals to meet community

needs; collaborative development of plans and goals

Controversy with Civility Think deeply about community problems and solutions

Society/Community ValuesCitizenship Understand roles and responsibilities as a citizen; addresses

societal problems; lead to attainable and visible outcomes;

Service Learning Examples

Partnership with a Museum

Innella, V. (2010). Curriculum and the gallery space: A service-learning partnership. Art Education, 63(3), 46-52.

Partnership with a Museum Highlights

Closely connected with the curriculum Course in seminar format Needed more reflection Students researched local culture Museum personnel involved

Science Literacy for Non Majors

Reynolds, J. A., & Ahern-Dodson, J. (2010). Promoting science literacy through research service-learning--an emerging pedagogy with significant benefits for

students, faculty, universities, and communities. Journal of College Science Teaching, 39(6), 24-29.

Science Literacy for Non Majors Highlights

Clearly defined goals and outcomes for service Extensive reflection Faculty and students learned together First year seminar course Worked with local state park Have a web site: http://www.science-writing.org/rsl.html

Incorporating Gerontology

Singleton, J. (2009). Service learning: The effect on BSW student interest in aging. Journal of Baccalaureate

Social Work, 14(1), 31-43.

Incorporating Gerontology Highlights

Designed to increase awareness of working with senior citizens Used negative student feedback to make improvements Journaling throughout Survey with open-ended questions Service well connected with course content

Freshman Learning Community

Stavrianopoulos, K. (2008). Service learning within the freshman year experience. College Student

Journal, 42(2), 703-712.

Freshman Learning Community Highlights

Regimented reflections Tremendous work load for faculty, but rewarding Used discussions and films to relate to young students Sought to reconnect community with college Students bonded with each other Increased retention

Using Wikis with Clients

Walsh, L. (2010). Constructive interference: Wikis and service learning in the technical communication classroom.

Technical Communication Quarterly, 19(2), 184-211. doi:10.1080/10572250903559381.

Using Wikis with Clients Highlights

Excellent use of technology Demonstrates need for improving communication Shows different generations and need for collaboration Shows need to specify expectations Used Specific Thinking Process

(see next slide)

Scientific Thinking Process

Reynolds (2010), page 3 of the article.

Service Learning Implementation

Checklist for success

Service Learning Checklist Connect with existing course outcomes

OR Create new learning community Modify course syllabus to include service learning Coordinate with community organization Evaluate during the volunteer activity Review the volunteer activity with students Review the volunteer activity with community organization Review the volunteer activity with college faculty (optional) Create plan for improvement

Service Learning Checklist Connect with existing course outcomes

Identify concepts that may be applied with volunteer service List volunteer activity goals

Identify community organizations Contact organizations about possible service explaining need to

meet course outcomes

OR Create new learning community

Communicate with other faculty Identify volunteer service to meet required outcomes Identify community organizations Contact organizations about service explaining requirements

Service Learning Checklist Modify course syllabus to include service learning

Include regular reflectionProvide structure and state expectations

Include discussion opportunities Clearly state volunteer service expectations

How many hours required When service will be performed How service will be evaluated

Provide orientation about community organization Organization’s purpose Student’s connection and contribution

Include evaluation and feedback

Service Learning Checklist Coordinate with community organization

Schedule times and locations Schedule orientation from representative, if possible Verify course outcomes and organization expectations Complete any waivers or permission forms

Service Learning Checklist Evaluate during the volunteer activity

Document participation Quotes Photos, if possible

Note any successes Note any problems or obstacles Document suggestions for future improvements Communicate with students

Service Learning Checklist Review the volunteer activity with students

Reflection about activity Student expectations Student experiences Assess outcomes vs. expectations

Group discussions Student expectations Student experiences Assess outcomes vs. expectations

Formal evaluation Summarize volunteer activity

Service Learning Checklist Review the volunteer activity with community

organization Establish whether course outcomes were met Establish whether organization’s expectations were met Determine whether to continue with the organization Summarize volunteer activity

Service Learning Checklist Review the volunteer activity with college faculty

(if learning community) Establish whether course outcomes were met Determine whether to continue with the organization Summarize volunteer activity

Service Learning Checklist Create plan for improvement

Review volunteer activity summary Evaluate successes

Create methods to continue Evaluate improvement needs

Develop methods to overcome obstacles and minimize problems Implement changes in subsequent classes

Additional Resources

Additional Resources Environmental Service Learninghttp://www.eeweek.org/resources/service_learning

Implementation at Loyola Collegehttp://www.compact.org/program-models/program-models-assessment/an-

education-department-studies-how-to-implement-the-principles-of-service-learning/1713/

Learn and Serve America’s Service Learning Standardshttp://www.servicelearning.org/instant_info/fact_sheets/k-12_facts/standards

Additional Resources Learn and Serve America’s Tool Kitshttp://www.servicelearning.org/instant_info/tool_kits

Service Learning Model Summary at Iowa Statehttp://www.celt.iastate.edu/ServiceLearning/s-lmodels.html

The Social Change Modelhttp://socialchangemodel.org/

Using the Prepare, Action, Reflection, Evaluation Modelhttp://www.nationalserviceresources.org/node/17486