Service Learning: Student Learning in Action

2011-12

Cricket F.L. Kidwell, Ed.D.Trinity County Office of Education

What is Service Learning?It is a method whereby students learn and develop

through active participation in thoughtfully organized service that is conducted in and meets the needs of a community identified by youth and driven by youth voice;

It meets a real community need;It is coordinated with an elementary school,

secondary school, institutions of higher education, or community service programs, and with the community;

It helps foster civic responsibility, civic understandings, and civic engagement;

It is integrated into and enhances the curriculum of the students;

It provides structured time for the students to reflect on the service and evaluate the activity.

Service Learning Is More Than Community Service

Connected to the curriculumMore of an on-going process than a one-time

eventCivic Responsibility is inherent in the processReflection is in-depth, thoughtful, and

frequentHigher level thinking skills, decision-making

skills, and real-life skills

The Learning PyramidService Learning is

practice by doing, teaching others, discussion, presentation, and reflection.

Elements of High Quality Service Learning

Linkages to the Curriculum and Integrated Learning

Meaningful ServicePartnerships and CollaborationYouth VoiceDiversityCivic Responsibility and Civic

EngagementReflectionQuality Indicators for Evaluation:

Progress monitoring, duration, and intensity

Meaningful ServiceA response to an actual community needActivities are age-appropriate and well-

organizedSignificant benefits are realizedService is seen to have broad-based

applicability and may be transferrable

Youth VoiceStudents participate actively in decision-

making, planning, organizing, facilitating, and implementing all projects

Students share in on-going evaluations, assessment, and program review

Students plan, organize, and participate in celebrations and public outreach showcases

Civic Responsibility and Civic EngagementCivic Engagement in Issues, Democratic

Processes, and Community Civic Understanding (e.g. public policy

development and input)Civic Connections to History-Social

Science and Democratic InstitutionsCivic Attitudes and Dispositions“For the Common Good” and Community

Involvement

ReflectionReinforces connections to the curriculumAllows for development of self-efficacyDevelops greater insights into the project and the

activitiesProvides opportunities to gain understanding into

civic virtue and civic responsibilityShould be on-going throughout the projectTypes of Reflection

OralWrittenVisual/DramaLogical/MathematicalThink Time!

Service Learning – Student Learning Goals

Content Knowledge (e.g. STEM, local government)

Cognitive and Thinking Skills Development

Participatory SkillsSocial/Emotional Learning and

UnderstandingCivic Responsibility and Community

InvolvementReal-life and Career SkillsStudent LeadershipLearning through Reflection and

Metacognition

Service Learning – Generating IdeasCommunity?School? Safety?Health and Well-Being?The Environment?Families?The Elderly? Public Policy Issues?News Items?Helping or teaching others?

Topic: Recycling Year: 2007 Level: School Location: Irvine, CA

As a result of Deerfield Elementary students’ research on the use of recyclable milk cartons, the Irvine Unified School District now uses them in the School Lunch Program.

Topic: Energy Year: 2006 Level: City Location: Irvine, CA

Concerned about energy consumption in their community, students at Sierra Vista Middle School decided to study the use and cost-savings of solar-powered stoplights at the city’s intersections. After presenting their project to two city council members in June, the students were excited to learn that the members have introduced their energy-saving plan for all new development in the city.

Topic: Environment (general) Year: 2007 Level: City Location: Highland Park, IL

Students at Elm Place School presented their Project Citizen portfolio on water conservation before a panel that included Mayor Michael Belsky. In a multifaceted approach to the issue of water conservation, the students suggested strategies of public outreach, government action, and financial incentives. These included disseminating information on water conservation, a survey of the city’s own use of water, incentives for the use of water efficient appliances, the city’s support of state and local initiatives in favor of water conservation, and the exploration of funding for such policies. After the presentation, the mayor composed a memo suggesting that the city council and the city manager evaluate the students’ recommendations.

Shasta Elementary – Saving Water

Notre Dame School in Chico – Reusable Bags

Paradise Intermediate School – Solar Energy Fair

Helping the Elderly in Santa Barbara

Getting Started

Identify sub-groups and project tasks or components

Form student-teacher groups assigned to sub-committees

Brainstorm ideasWork with community partnersResearch and discuss tasks, ideas, problems,

and solutions

Make it Happen! Make a plan Find resources (people, information,

materials) Work together and monitor progressShare your successes with presentations,

information, and celebrations!

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Margaret Mead