Service-Learning

1. Jake Barclay Service-Learning

2. Definition of Service Learning • “Service-learning is a method of teaching, learning and reflecting, frequently youth service, throughout the community. As a teaching method, it falls under the philosophy of experiential education. More specifically, it integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, encourage lifelong civic engagement, and strengthen communities for the common good” -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service-learning

3. Benefits of Service-Learning • Increase your understanding of the class topic • Gain hands-on experience (possibly leading to an internship or job later) • Explore or cement your values and beliefs • Have opportunities to act on your values and beliefs • Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills • Grow your understanding of diverse cultures and communities • Learn more about social issues and their root causes • Improve your ability to handle ambiguity and be open to change; become more flexible

4. Benefits Continued • Develop or enhance your skills, especially in the areas of communication, collaboration, and leadership • Test out your skills, interests, and values in a potential career path, or learn more about a field that interests you • Connect with professionals and community members who you will learn from • Grow a professional network of people you might connect with again later for jobs or internships • Satisfy your urge toward public service or civic participation Source: http://www.servicelearning.umn.edu/info/benefits.html

5. Importance of Service-Learning • A national study of Learn and Serve America programs suggests that effective service-learning programs improve grades, increase attendance in school, and develop students' personal and social responsibility.

6. Adopt a Highway • For my Service Learning, one activity I participated in was Adopt a Highway. My fellow classmates and I walked up and down North Ashley Road, in Valdosta, and picked up all trash and loose debris. It was extremely depressing to see how much of a negative impact we as humans have on this enviornment.

7. Blood Drive • Another Service-Learning event I participated in was a Blood Drive. • Blood drives make a perfect health education service learning project college students, especially college students majoring in health education. It is a true win-win project. Students learn about the gift of life and have a chance to practice valuable organizational, communication, problem-solving, marketing and evaluation skills. The community benefits from additional blood stores and expansion of the community blood donor base.

8. Relay for Life • Lastly I participated in Relay for Life. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.

9. Service-Learning Quotes Quotes for Service Learning: • Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all. ---Aristotle • It’s easy to make a buck. It’s tougher to make a difference. ---Tom Brokaw • If you don’t like the way the world is, you change it. You have an obligation to change it. You just do it one step at a time. ---Marian Wright Edelman • You must be the change you wish to see in the world. ---Mahatma Gandhi • Imagine what a harmonious world it could be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing. ---Quincy Jones

10. The End