Service Learning: Partnering College and Community for Maximum Learning

1. Service Learning: Partnering College and Community for Maximum Learning MiraCosta College Dick RobertsonCarol Wilkinson

2. Carol Wilkinson is Director of Service Learning at MiraCosta College and has BA and MA degrees from California State University, San Marcos. Dick Robertson is Acting President, Interim Vice President of Instruction and Vice President of Student Services at MiraCosta College. He has a BA degree from the College of Wooster and MA and PhD degrees from Michigan State University. Presenters

3. History of the Service Learning Program • Campus Compact Mini Grant in 1995 • College Innovation Grant in 1996 • Chancellor’s Office Grant 1998-2000 • Institutionalized in 2001 • Impacts campus, community and beyond

4. Program Growth

5. Service Learning is….. • A form of experiential education • A partnership between campus and community • A way to apply theory to “real world” settings • A way for students to find a sense of self purpose and confidence

6. Thoughtfully planned activities To best fit learning objectives, each instructor determines: • the service location • the type of service to be performed • the number of hours to be served • corresponding assignments • How to measure / evaluate learning

7. The Fifth Dimension Program • Psychology 211 students • Serve as “college • buddies” for after school program • Provide homework assistance, learning activities, mentoring

8. Learning Activities • Daily reflection sessions • Field notes posted on the web board • On-going communication, feedback • Application of theory

9. Learning Outcomes • Increased understanding of theories • Ability to apply knowledge in useful way • Greater awareness of social issues • Improved writing skills

10. San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy • Geography students • Provide a variety of support services • Design and lead educational activities

11. Learning Activities • Class visit to lagoon, day hike • Photo / written journals • Identify and sort archeological findings • GPS exercises • Mapping activities

12. Learning Outcomes • Increased awareness of lagoon, conservation efforts • Ability to apply mapping skills to actual locations-make recommendations • Ability to “teach” others what has been learned • Knowledge of land formations/ changes over time

13. Tijuana Service Trips • English 101 students • Visit Tijuana orphanages, community center • Weekends, spring break

14. Learning Activities • Journaling (pre, during, post) • Group reflection sessions • Blog entries • Communication, feedback

15. Learning Outcomes • Application of critical thinking skills to real world issues • Reading assignments become more meaningful, relevant • Personal beliefs and values are challenged • Improved writing assignments • Increased classroom interaction

16. Learning Beyond the Curriculum • Civic engagement, community awareness • Sense of empowerment • Career exploration • Work experience • Development of leadership, professional skills • Ethic of service

17. Student Self Assessment As a result of service learning, students indicate that they: • developed new leadership skills: 86% • clarified career goals: 79% • made valuable community contributions: 91% • will continue to volunteer: 78% • better understood course material: 92% • would recommend service learning to others: 100%

19. Moving Forward To further understand the impact of service learning, plans are underway to work with the Office of Institutional Research to examine : • Student retention • Academic performance

20. Service Learning • Opportunity to ask questions or to make comments or suggestions