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

The Social Change Model  Combines leadership with service for social change  A process  Values based: individual, group, community  Collaborative  Impacts change  Community involvement

The Social Change Model: 7 Cs for Change

The Social Change Model and Service Learning Standards Social Change ModelService Learning Standards Individual Values Consciousness of SelfReflection, both written and oral; understand project in relation to underlying societal issues CongruenceExamine preconceptions; explore roles; understand multiple perspectives; understand and value diversity CommitmentInteresting and engaging service; personally relevant service Group Values CollaborationTrusting and supportive environment; develop interpersonal, conflict, and group decision making skills Common PurposeEstablish shared vision and common goals to meet community needs; collaborative development of plans and goals Controversy with CivilityThink deeply about community problems and solutions Society/Community Values CitizenshipUnderstand 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),

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),

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:

Incorporating Gerontology Singleton, J. (2009). Service learning: The effect on BSW student interest in aging. Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work, 14(1),

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),

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), doi: /

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 reflection Provide 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

 Environmental Service Learning  Implementation at Loyola College assessment/an-education-department-studies-how-to-implement-the- principles-of-service-learning/1713/  Learn and Serve America’s Service Learning Standards 12_facts/standards

Additional Resources  Learn and Serve America’s Tool Kits  Service Learning Model Summary at Iowa State  The Social Change Model  Using the Prepare, Action, Reflection, Evaluation Model