service-learning coordinator americorps*vista member truman state university
Post on 21-Dec-2015
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Service-Learning CoordinatorAmeriCorps*VISTA Member
Truman State University
What is Service-Learning?
A teaching methodology that utilizes community service to help students gain a deeper understanding of course content, acquire new knowledge and engage in civic activity
SERVICE
LEARNING
A Mutually Beneficial Relationship
SERVICE
LEARNING
Students use information and skills gained in the classroom or as part of a student organization
To complete a sustainable service project For a non-profit or government agency that may not be able to complete the project on their own (limited time, resources, and/or skills)
Students in return learn practical and transformative skills by reflecting on the experience
An Example
SERVICE
LEARNING
Students in a web design course are learning how to create and manage web pages (add information, graphics, menus, etc.)
As a class project, they must create a web page for a local non-profit organization
The non-profit has minimal web experience, but would really benefit from a functional web page
The students learn Practical Skills: Communication skills by working closely with the
non-profit and explaining to the employees how to update, change, and use the website
The students learn Transformative Skills: More information about the purpose of the non-
profit organization and people they serve Why service is an important lifetime commitment
Service-Learning Advantage
Co-Curricular Happens outside of the classroom Completed by individuals and student
organizations Helps students:
Plan, document, and evaluate their projects Receive recognition for their service Have educational experiences outside of the
classroom
Why Service-Learning?
Passive vs. Active Learning Passive: Receive, Memorize, and Generate
Information Example: Studying for a test
Active: Receive and Apply Information; Evaluate the Experience
Example: Implementing and operating a soup kitchen
VS.
Key Components of Service-Learning
Community Partners Active relationship with a non-profit or
government agency Learning Objectives
A significant and clear connection between the service projects and the class/organization
Reflection Time to consider what was learned from the
experience (diversity, civic engagement, social issues, personal development, etc.)
Benefits of Service-Learning: Groups, Organizations, and Classes
Engages students: In the Kirksville community and this new endeavor created
by the University In active learning that enhances their educational
experience Makes organizations:
More competitive for future funding (grants) and awards More competitive on the organization’s national level
Provides support from the S-L Coordinator: Organizational, Conceptual, Monetary Connections with community agencies Time for structured reflection
Benefits of Service-Learning: Academic Enhancement
Useful and transferable skills Organization: From planning and implementing
the project Communication: From working with the
community partners to meet their needs Among many others
“Communication and organization were the skills that were most improved. Never before have I had to stay this organized and in contact with so many
people. This service-learning experience has been the most beneficial experience at TSU in my 8 semesters. It gave me insight to the benefits of
developing community projects, as well as what it’s like to lead people.”
Benefits of Service-Learning: Academic Enhancement
These skills are important in any academic discipline or future career An important experience for a resume Many employers and graduate schools require
students to have experience in their field
“This service-learning experience directly relates to my academic program of study, because any opportunity to practice Spanish is a growth experience.
More specifically I’m taking an introductory translation/interpretation class. It helped me to have on-site experience. It put all the challenges that we’ve read
and learned about in this class into a new light. I have learned more in this service-learning experience than I have in the class.”
Benefits of Service-Learning: Civic Engagement
Service-Related Skills Opportunity to connect with and improve the
Kirksville community Increased awareness of local social issues Commitment to service in the future
“As a result of my participation in [Service-Learning], I have definitely decided that I want to create my own project that can positively contribute to
Kirksville’s community and be sustained long after I leave. It was inspiring to see students close to my age make such a tangible impact on the community
in which they live.”
Benefits of Service-Learning: Personal Growth
Students may develop enhanced skills Critical thinking and problem solving Empathy, personal values, awareness, self-
esteem, social responsibility, etc.
“I did learn a lot from teaching in a classroom, but apparently not as much as I did planning this. It was actually sad that I had never planned anything this
big before, because I feel like I can go through life a lot better now that I have been through this.…There were a couple of times where communication fell
through, but I learned how to better communicate my ideas and it really helped me with getting things together for this summer and for my upcoming
internship.”
How to Get Involved
Contact the Service-Learning Coordinator The S-L Coordinator will assist you throughout
this entire process Create and implement the service project
Establish a community partner and learning objectives
Complete the project Complete all the necessary documentation
Implement the proper reflection activity
Contact Information
Email [email protected]
Phone 660-785-7753
Office The Center for Teaching and Learning Pickler Memorial Library, Room 204C