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Service Learning: the Basics

Service Learning: the Basics. 2016 Gavilan College. What is Service-Learning?.

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Service Learning: the Basics

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  1. Service Learning: the Basics 2016 Gavilan College

  2. What is Service-Learning? • “Service-learning is a form of experiential education in which students engage in activities that address human and community needs together with structured opportunities intentionally designed to promote student learning and development. Reflection and reciprocity are key concepts of service learning.” (Jacoby, 1996, p.5)

  3. Reciprocity and Reflection Service is meaningful and intentionally associated with learning objectives of the course AND meeting needs of the agency partners.

  4. Service enables students and faculty to give to and learn from the community, and to reflect on how knowledge from the discipline informs and shapes the service experience and vice versa.

  5. Service Learning at Gavilan College • At Gavilan College service learning students go into the community to do work related to what they learn in class. • Students, faculty, and community organizations work together to everyone's benefit. • Classes are enriched and made real when students apply what they know in their own communities. Faculty update and enrich their teaching. • Agencies benefit when students come in to do projects, bringing fresh perspectives to the work. MANY agencies offer students jobs after the semester is over

  6. Mission Statement The Gavilan College Service Learning Program provides avenues for students, faculty, and partner organizations to promote justice, diversity, and social responsibility by integrating academic experiences with service.

  7. Service Learning is NOT… Volunteering – doing good deeds, altruism Internship – experiential education designed to assimilate and demonstrate mastery of skills for professional development and/or licensure Placement – “dropping” students off at a site hoping you’ll harvest some learning An “add on”– all courses have an expectation and requirement of “out of class” work. SL is part of that expectation.

  8. Loads of extra work for teachers—after some up-front preparation, classes run on auto pilot for years Loads of extra work for students--it’s another assignment to take seriously and to work on completing Loads of extra work for agencies—they just don’t have time for that! An add-on to enhance a class --think integral and integration.

  9. Service Learning CAN BE: --whole class does a project for/with one agency --three or four agencies offer similar projects for groups of students --whole class does project of community benefit, such as park clean-up or trail clearing

  10. Service Learning CAN also BE: --student work with clients at an agency --work with class-relevant projects such as nitrogen-cycle measurements on campus --work with class-relevant projects such as cosmetology services out in the community --research that an agency needs done, publication --research that the community needs done, publication

  11. Triangulation of Service-Learning Study Head Action Hands Reflection Heart

  12. Benefits for students • A reduction in negative stereotypes • Greater self-knowledge • Enhanced interpersonal & leadership skills • Increased awareness of the community • Deeper understanding of subject matter • Better integration of class concepts to authentic issues • Useful service to the community • Enhanced relations between to college and community

  13. Benefits for faculty • Refreshes teaching • Helps students apply concepts and learn • Helps students apply skills • Makes subject matter real • Updates faculty on real- world applications • Allows faculty knowledge of and service to the community

  14. Putting Service-Learning into Practice Objectives Assessment Partnerships Reflection Engagement

  15. Agency Goals •Building long-term relationships •Emphasizing good communication •Win-win-wins

  16. Checking out our partners • They change! People & agencies leave, close, expand, revive, or modify mission • You can request additions but they go through a vetting process first • We help you find the right one/s for you and your class

  17. What to Expect from Your Community Liaison • Initial discussion about the types of placements you are seeking • A variety of vetted choices, each with a website • Advice on what agencies are working best this semester • Up to date paperwork for students to use • Feedback from and to agencies, especially if problems arise

  18. …and some pestering to visit your agency before, during, and after the semester! So much to see! So much to learn!

  19. Engage with your partner agencies! Have reps as a guest speakers, judges in contests, expert witnesses Work on projects, boards, papers, grants, presentations together Help out with your expertise or offer students’ feedback for agency improvement

  20. Most of all: visit your agencies!

  21. WHY? Our underserved and underfunded communities can really use the love, skill, beauty, time, passion, energy, and care we and our students bring to the work!

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