mission possible agents of change through service-learning
TRANSCRIPT
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.
Community Service V.S.
Service-LearningCommunity 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
The SL Cycle
Identifying a Genuine Need
Planning & Preparation
Meaningful Service
ExperienceObservation
Problem Solving
Evaluation:New Understanding
Celebration
Student & Community Ownership
New Application
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…
Youth Voice & Choice
• Select the project focus• Provide leadership by:
– Taking initiative– Identifying needs– Making decisions– Collaborating with community
representatives– Developing partnerships– Exercising “reciprocity”
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.
Investigate How?
• Surveys
• Interviews
• Observation
• Research
• Community Mapping
• Meetings/Forum
Committees
• DEVELOP committees to investigate needs.
• ELECT a chairperson of each committee.
• CHOOSE a committee based on your…– Knowledge– Skills– Resources– Personal Interests
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?
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?
Meaningful Service
• Follow your blueprint.
• Collaborate with partners.
• Work together for success.
• Be flexible:– Action allows ideas to become
real.– Unexpected outcomes may
occur.
Problem-Solving
• How well did the plan work?– Barriers?– Limitations?– Organization?– Teamwork?
• Who could help?
• Have new needs been identified?
• What improvements are necessary?
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?
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?
Celebration
• Recognize achievement…– “Thank you” letter or gift– Ceremony– Field trip – Award – Prize– Party– FUN!
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