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Service Learning

Service Learning. Joe Bandy Center for Teaching Vanderbilt University. Introductions. Students as Producers year In pairs, discuss Experiences with Service Learning Benefits Challenges. Starting Points.

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Service Learning

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  1. Service Learning Joe Bandy Center for Teaching Vanderbilt University

  2. Introductions • Students as Producers year • In pairs, discuss • Experiences with Service Learning • Benefits • Challenges

  3. Starting Points • “Democracy has to be born anew every generation, and education is its midwife.” John Dewey, School and Society, 1889. • National Service Learning Clearinghouse: • “a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities.”   • Janet S. Eyler (winner of the 2003 Thomas Ehrlich Faculty Award for Service Learning) and Dwight E. Giles, Jr.: • “a form of experiential education where learning occurs through a cycle of action and reflection as students. . . seek to achieve real objectives for the community and deeper understanding and skills for themselves. In the process, students link personal and social development with academic and cognitive development. . . experience enhances understanding; understanding leads to more effective action.”

  4. Starting Points • Service Learning, related to… • Community-based Teaching or Learning • Civic Education • Civic Engagement • Public Scholarship

  5. Benefits: Students(Eyler, Giles, Stenson and Gray 2001) • Learning Outcomes • Content learning • Application of knowledge to “the real world” • Understanding, problem-solving, critical thinking • Complexity and ambiguity • Personal Outcomes • Personal efficacy, spiritual growth, and moral development • Interpersonal development, leadership and communication skills • Social Outcomes • Reduced stereotypes and greater inter-cultural understanding • Social responsibility and citizenship skills • Continuing community engagement after graduation • Career Development • Networking for learning and career opportunities • Relationship with the Institution • Relationships with faculty • Satisfaction with college • Graduation rates

  6. Benefits: Faculty, College, Community • Faculty • Satisfaction with student learning • New avenues for research • Networking with faculty in other disciplines or institutions • Stronger commitment to one’s research • College • Institutional commitment to the curriculum • Student retention • Community relations • Community • Satisfaction with student participation • Human resources needed to achieve community goals • New energy, enthusiasm and perspectives • Community-university relations

  7. Models • Service-Based • One-time project • Optional assignment • Problem-Based • Capstone • Internship • Independent/Honors Action Research • Multi-course Projects

  8. Challenges • Time commitment • Ensuring positive community impact • Ensuring student learning

  9. Discussion: Solutions • In groups of 3, each of you take 1 of these problems and discuss one potential solution: • Time commitment • Ensuring positive community impact • Ensuring student learning

  10. Possible Solutions • Time commitment • Clear goals • Staff/Faculty assistance, TA • Schedule flexibility for student participation, community too • Not reinventing the wheel • Resources, incentives for faculty engagement

  11. Possible Solutions • Time commitment • Center for Teaching • Public Service Offices • Community Partnership Databases

  12. Possible Solutions • Ensuring positive community impact • Use existing community relationships • Clear goals and expectations • Assessment and improvements • Rigorous needs & asset assessment

  13. Possible Solutions • Ensuring positive community impact • Assessing Community Needs • Building Trust through Reciprocity • Creative and Flexible Projects • Realistic Project Goals • Managing Community Expectations • Ensuring Continuity • Adhering to IRB Guidelines • Assessing Impacts

  14. Possible Solutions(Saltmarsh, Hartley, & Clayton 2009) • Democratic vs Technocratic Engagement • Power sharing • Shared governance vs. University decision making • Stakeholder relationships • Partnership vs. Consultant-Client • Solving problems • Asset-based collaboration vs. Problem-based solution • Outcomes • Stakeholder change vs. Stakeholder stasis

  15. Possible Solutions • Ensuring student learning • Student preparation • Student reflection • Student involvement in project planning

  16. Possible Solutions • Ensuring student learning • Content rigor • Community orientation • Safety precautions • Skills training • Ethics training • Logistical support • Assignments • Reflection • Project failure • Unforeseen obstacles • Confounding results

  17. Further Resources • Service Learning and Community Engagement teaching guide

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