2. Integrating Service Learning into the Traditional Classroom
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College

3. Definition of Service Learning
Community Service Learning is a pedagogical model that connects meaningful community service experiences with academic course learning.
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007

4. A Context for Service-Learning
Service-learning is an effective pedagogy - an academically rigorous method to teach course content in a discipline.
Service-learning as an engaged pedagogy is not the goal - it is a means to an end - a means to the end of civic education.
Service-learning is a movement in higher education - transforming colleges and universities in every sector, in many disciplines, across the country and internationally.
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007

5. Benefits of Service Learning
Enriches student learning of course material
Engages students in active learning that demonstrates the relevance of their academic work
Increases awareness of current societal issues as they relate to academic areas.
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007

6. Benefits of Service Learning
Broadens perspectives of diversity issues and enhances critical thinking.
Improves interpersonal skills.
Develops civic responsibility through active community involvement.
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007

7. Benefits of Service Learning Community:
Provides substantial human resources to meet educational, human, safety, and environmental needs of local communities.
Allows the energy and enthusiasm of students to contribute to meeting needs.
Fosters an ethic of service and civic participation in students.
Creates potential for additional partnerships and collaboration.
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007

8. The Best Service Learning Programs
Are bound directly to the academic curriculum.
Meet a real community need.
Provide for structured group reflection time.
Engage students in group decisions and problem solving.
Match the skills of students with community needs.
Provide a wide variety of options for students.
Provide recognition for services rendered.
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007

9. Service Learning: Essential Elements
Reciprocity
Reflection
Development:
Enabling to empowering;
Observation, to experience;
Following to leadership.
Meaningful Service
Diversity
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007

10. Ways to Integrate a Service Component
Independent 4th credit option
Required within a course
Option within a course
Class Service Projects
Disciplinary Capstone Projects
Service Research Projects
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007

11. Principles of Good Practice
Academic credit is for learning, not for service
Do not compromise academic rigor
Set learning goals for students
Establish criteria for the selection of community service placements
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007

12. Principles of Good Practice
Provide educationally-sound mechanisms to harvest the community learning
Provide supports for students to learn how to harvest the community learning
Minimize the distinction between the community and classroom learning roles
Re-think the faculty instructional role
Prepare for variation in student outcomes
Maximize the community responsibility
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007

13. Resources and Support Services
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007

14. Service Learning Project Design
Lunch Discussion Results (open discussion)
Enhanced Academic Learning
Relevant Service
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007

15. The Counternormative Nature of Academic Service-Learning
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007

16. Promoting Learning: [Cognitive Sciences Suggest Six Foci]
Approaches that emphasize application and experience
Approaches in which faculty constructively model the learning process
Approaches that emphasize linking established concepts to new situations
Approaches the emphasize interpersonal collaboration
Approaches that emphasize rich and frequent feedback on performances
Curricula that consistently develop a limited set of clearly identified, cross-disciplinary skills that are publicly held to be important
*source: Peter Ewel, “Organizing for Learning.” AAHE Bulletin, December, 1997, pp. 3-6
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007

17. The Kolb Learning Cycle
Concrete
Experience
Action
Experimentation
Reflective
Observation
Abstract
Conceptualization
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007

18. Steps to Develop and Execute A Service Learning Strategy
Consider the courses you teach and determine how community service might be helpful to enrich learning in that discipline.
2. With service sites or activities in mind, consider your goals and motives in using the application.
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007

19. Steps to Develop and Execute A Service Learning Strategy
Based upon your motives, goals, and objectives, choose a course service option.
Once you have chosen how service will be incorporated, review and alter your course objectives and syllabus to reflect the change.
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007

20. Steps to Develop and Execute A Service Learning Strategy
5. On the first day of class, explain and promote the ideas behind including Service Learning in your class. Explain the benefits to the student and the community.
6. Work with students to develop specific service and learning objectives for their service experiences.
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007

21. Steps to Develop and Execute A Service Learning Strategy
7. Teach students how to harvest the service experience for knowledge.
Link the service experience to your academic course content through deliberate and guided reflection.
9. Evaluate your Service Learning outcomes as you would any other product.
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007

22. Kirtland Community College
Syllabus Addendum
Mathematics is an integral part of many jobs and situations we face. Many times it is used so often that we don’t even think about it. Thus as we prepare for a future vocation it important to see, yes even experience mathematics in real situations. If we can experience the math we will need in our chosen field the academic preparation becomes even more intrinsically important. To this end, the following activity will allow you to experience the math needed in your program.
Throughout the semester you will have the opportunity to work at a community service agency in a field of your choice. This is an opportunity for you to study mathematics related to your field. It is expected that the student will make this a worthwhile experience for himself or herself, and for the participating organization.
The following is a list of requirements, definitions and a timetable for the completions of this project. This is a required lab activity and will be treated as all the other labs. Failure to complete this part will be recorded as a zero for that lab grade. Since there are few labs, missing any one will significantly affect your grade. Thus it is imperative that you stay current and complete each section as the due dates indicate.
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007

23. Advice on Designing a Service Learning Course
Are course goals and objectives realistic?
Has advance planning taken place with the community agency to effectively integrate service-based learning with course goals and objectives?
What provisions have been made for evaluation and assessment?
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007

24. Service Learning Websites:
AAHE:
AACC:
Campus Compact
National Service-Learning Clearinghouse
Service-Learning – Higher Education Guide
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007

25. Recent Student Comments Concerning Their Service Learning Projects
... I fell that this was a good learning experience. I felt I walked away with more knowledge. ..I had a pretty good idea of how math was involved and I would definitely volunteer more.
... It should also stay in the curriculum You grow up taking math classes and you question why you need to know this, ” I’m never going to use it”. The community service activity helps you realize that you do use math some of it consciously and sometimes unconsciously.
... My experience was wonderful. I like volunteering because I meet people and if you mess up something you can’t get fired...
... I think it’s weird that it’s required in a math class. I would expect it in a speech, English or Health class but not math. I always think of math as a class you have to take to get out of the way, not to have to apply to your everyday life.
... I would not trade this experience in for any other that I have experienced at school and I am also considering helping her out as much as I can.
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007