Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Information Center of Louisiana The Service-Learning Experience

1. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Information Center of LouisianaThe Service-Learning Experience Sarah Eilts Lyndsi Lambert Lauren Trimble Jamie Breaux Drew Martin

2. Today, We Will Present. . . • Work in the service-learning project with GRG • Sample of the newsletter, The GrandPaper • Brief overview of service-learning experience • Actual service with the community • Enhanced academic learning • Civic learning © LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership

3. What is Service-Learning? • As defined by LSU’s Center for Academic Success (CAS), service-learning is: “A credit-bearing, educational experience in which students participate in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs and reflect on the service activity in such a way as to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility.” © LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership

4. In Other Words. . . • Service-learning is: • “a credit-bearing, educational experience” • enhanced academic learning • “an organized service activity that meets community needs” • relevant and meaningful service with the community • “a reflection on the activity to gain further understanding of course content” • purposeful civic learning • “a broader appreciation of the discipline and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility” • academic service-learning (CAS) © LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership

5. The Service-Learning Experience Enhanced academic learning Relevant and meaningful service with the community Academic service- learning Purposeful civic learning © LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership

6. Relevant and Meaningful Service with the Community • Surpassing community service • Reaching out • Dot Thibodeaux • GRG Meeting • Betty Allen • Learning beyond the classroom © LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership

7. Enhanced Academic Learning • Researching • Organizing and planning • Writing for a target audience • Learning proper formatting and citing rules © LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership

8. Purposeful Civic Learning • Learning about our community and its needs • Working with a non-profit organization • Gaining awareness • Becoming supporters • Creating a quality newsletter © LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership

9. The Service-Learning Experience Enhanced academic learning Relevant and meaningful service with the community Academic service- learning Purposeful civic learning © LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership

10. Academic Service-Learning • “a credit-bearing, educational experience” • Learning real skills for the real world • “an organized service activity that meets community needs” • Applying those skills • “a reflection on the activity to gain further understanding of course content” • Learning beyond the classroom • “a broader appreciation of the discipline and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility” • Understanding the necessity of academic learning © LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership

11. LSU’s National Flagship Agenda • Objective 3: Increase quality of undergraduate students and programs • Actions: • 4. Provide innovative learning experiences that complement and enhance academic programs including international, multi-cultural, and interdisciplinary programs. • Outcomes: • Students will satisfy key learning outcomes of being able to communicate ideas and information; plan, organize and evaluate projects; work in teams and with diverse populations and constituencies; apply mathematical concepts and problem solving techniques; and use technology appropriate to their fields. © LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership

12. Academic Service-Learning: Helping real students help real people! “I learned a great deal on a much more personal level.”Jamie Breaux “Writing for the ‘real’ world has several different aspects to it.” Lauren Trimble “Through meaningful community service, I applied many concepts I learned in the classroom.”Drew Martin © LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership

13. Academic Service-Learning: Helping real students help real people! “Ultimately, I achieved a ‘real-world’ experience that provides so much more than a letter grade.”Lyndsi Lambert “I gained information on the complications facing grandparents who raise their grandchildren which I may use in my intended career of child advocacy.” Sarah Eilts © LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership