Service-Learning Project

Presented by Michelle Simpson Third Annual Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference23 October 2009

The Project

Proposal Plan Project Presentation Reflection

The Proposal

Community or organization Show need Show how project fills need

The Plan

Tasks and timeline Who was responsible

The Presentation

Description of project How needs were met Strengths and weaknesses

Pre-flection Activities

Define service-learning– The first thing that comes to mind when I think of

service learning is an unpaid, internship type of deal. Service learning differs from community service because it pertains more to academics rather than to personal gratitude. Although I have never participated in a service learning project, I am looking forward to the experience because I think it will be a great opportunity for personal enrichment.

Pre-flection Activities

One-question interview activity– Do you agree with the statement that “Helping

other people helps me?” Why or why not– If you wanted to personally raise $100 to give to a

particular charity or nonprofit, how would you do it?

Doyne, Shannon. “Help for the Helpers: Researching and Developing a Campaign to Aid a Local Charity.” The New York Times Learning Network, Daily Lesson Plan. 26 Nov. 2008. 23 Jan. 2009 <http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20081126wednesday.html>

Pre-flection Activities

Disclose expectations– I think the easy part will be putting the entire

project together. My group and I already have a lot of plans so hopefully that will help things go smoothly. I think one of the more difficult things will be communicating with any elderly members who might have disabilities. I think it also might be difficult getting everyone interested in participating in activities.

Pre-flection Activities

Obstacles and Pathways– More time

Reflection Activities

Develop “beautiful word clouds”

Reflection Activities

Reflection paper– On leadership: It was difficult to express my

feelings and why I thought I had made the correct decisions, but [it was] even more difficult to see the good in others’ decisions.

– I normally prefer to take orders and direction, not give them. This project showed me that I am capable of being in charge.

Reflection Activities

Reflection Paper– I do not want to always be shy in unfamiliar

situations, as I feel that can have a negative impact on jobs I may have in the future.

– I had to constantly remind myself of the environment I was in at that time. I found myself engaging in conversations with them as if their mental capacity was stable and had to redirect the conversation

Reflection Activities

Reflection paper– I learned how to better communicate with people

in a group and remain patient… – After each visit [to Fenwick Landing], I left there

feeling appreciated, grateful, and selfless…We served and learned.

Strengths

Met objectives Students were engaged Students were creative Students learned a lot about themselves

Challenges

Voting on projects to complete Writing instructions Grading

Future Service-Learning Projects

Ask students to research service population Be more specific in writing assignments Limit number of projects to two Make students more accountable for use of

communication skills