1. Mission Possible Agents of Change Through Service-Learning

2. What is service-learning? SL helps you apply YOUR knowledge and skills… To a REAL problem in your school or community. –Checking out a problem. –Preparing a plan of action. –Rolling up your sleeves and doing. –Keeping a record/journal. –Figuring out what it all means.

3. Community Service V.S. Service-Learning Community Service NO… –Youth involvement –Needs identification –Brainstorming –Planning –Links to learning –Orientation –Some meaning –Observation –Evaluation –Isolated celebration Service-Learning Yes… –Youth selected project –Community involvement –Needs identified –Plan of Action –Learning links made to curricula –Pre-service orientation –Criteria for meaningful service –Observations made –New understanding gained –Celebrated by all

4. The SL Cycle Identifying a Genuine Need Planning & Preparation Meaningful Service Experience Observation Problem Solving Evaluation: New Understanding Celebration Student & Community Ownership New Application

5. Your Mission… –SELECT a problem –RESEARCH the problem –DESIGN an Action Plan –DO the planned project –EVALUATE the results –CELEBRATE your success! Should you decide to accept it…

6. Youth Voice & Choice Select the project focus Provide leadership by: –Taking initiative –Identifying needs –Making decisions –Collaborating with community representatives –Developing partnerships –Exercising “reciprocity”

7. Needs assessment Identify NEEDS based on what you know now. INVESTIGATE further through collaborations. Develop CRITERIA to narrow your focus. PRIORITIZE according to criteria. SHARE results.

8. Investigate How? Surveys Interviews Observation Research Community Mapping Meetings/Forum

9. Committees DEVELOP committees to investigate needs. ELECT a chairperson of each committee. CHOOSE a committee based on your… –Knowledge –Skills –Resources –Personal Interests

10. Your blueprint Set goals: –What do you want people to come away with at the end? –How will people benefit? Map out plans: –What will be taught? –What will you do? –How do you want to present it? Clarify partnerships: –Who do you want to participate with you? –What do you want them to do? Gather Resources: –What do you need to carry out your plans? –Guest speakers?

11. Pre-service Reflection What has changed? –Beliefs –Assumptions –Attitudes Where and when did they change? What might you have done differently? What do you think will happen next?

12. Meaningful Service Follow your blueprint. Collaborate with partners. Work together for success. Be flexible: –Action allows ideas to become real. –Unexpected outcomes may occur.

13. Observation What is happening? –Reactions –Comments –Attitudes –Behaviors –Responses

14. Problem-Solving How well did the plan work? –Barriers? –Limitations? –Organization? –Teamwork? Who could help? Have new needs been identified? What improvements are necessary?

15. Mid-Service Reflection Share… –Discussions –Presentations –News articles –Photographs Keep a journal: –What happened? –How was it special? –How did you feel? –Any new ideas? –Questions? –How did you make a difference?

16. Evaluation Assess the experience: –What was learned? –What impact was made? –Who received benefits? What was successful? Unsuccessful? How effective was the project plan? –What would you do differently? –How could it be enhanced?

17. Celebration Recognize achievement… –“Thank you” letter or gift –Ceremony –Field trip –Award –Prize –Party –FUN!

18. Post-service Reflection What did YOU learn? –About yourself? –Working with others? –About your community? How will this project: –Influence your life or future –Develop a sense of community –Clarify needs or issues –Improve observation and analysis –Increase an appreciation of others –Deepen knowledge and understanding

19. This slide show will self-destruct in 5 seconds… Prepared by: Karol Osborne Extension Agent – 4-H Madison Parish is a part of the…