The ABC’s of Service Learning

1. The ABC’s of Service Learning • Serve Idaho Conference • Boise, Idaho • March 9 – 11, 2011

3. Overview • Define Service Learning (SL) • Elements of SL • Benefits of SL • Steps to SL • Essential Elements to SL • Service Learning Themes

4. Service Learning…Going Beyond Serving the Community

5. Service Learning is more than... • …a volunteer or community service program with no ties to academics • ...logging a certain number of service hours in order to graduate • ...only for high school or college students

6. Group Activity Blue cards are “TERMS OF SERVICE” Red cards are “DEFINITIONS” Tan cards are “EXAMPLES OF SERVICE” As a group work together to match the proper terms with their definitions and examples.

7. Service Learning is… • …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 • …a teaching/learning method that connects meaningful community service experiences with academic learning, personal growth, and civic responsibility. • Simply put, service learning connects school-based curriculum with the inherent caring and concern young people have for their world—whether on their school campus, at a local food bank, or in a distant rainforest. • The results are memorable, and provide lifelong lessons for students.

8. Service Learning as… • …a teaching and learning method is a form of active learning that values critical thinking and problem solving. • Research shows that when service learning is effectively implemented students gain in measures of academic achievement, citizenship, and character.

9. Service Learning Model B

10. Community Service to Service Learning Community Service Service Learning • Trash collection along a river bank • Taking water samples, analyzing samples, documenting results and presenting them to local environmental quality agencies

11. Community Service to Service Learning Community Service Service Learning • Collecting winter coats for local shelters • Research causes of poverty and homelessness, compare to local numbers, submit report to local community leaders

12. Learning Pyramid Retention Rate

13. Service Learning: FAQs • How is SL different from community service or volunteer work? • Can SL be used for everyone? Or is it only for older kids? Or gifted kids? • How can I get my students interested in SL? • Won’t SL just mean more work for me? • SL means reaching out to the community. What is community? How do I define it? • I understand what SL means, but what does service mean? • Are there different kinds or categories of service? • Is one type of service learning better than another? • What do I do if I’ve been assigned to coordinate SL for my grade/school/organization?

14. Research says Service Learning… • Improves the overall school climate • Provides opportunities for students to become active, positive contributors to society • Results in greater mutual respect of teachers and students • Helps students acquire academic skills and knowledge • Students who participate are more engaged in their studies, more motivated to learn and more likely to graduate.

15. Benefits of Service Learning • Benefits for students and young people: • Increased motivation to learn • Civic engagement • Sense of self-efficacy • Problem-solving skills • Career possibilities

16. Benefits of Service Learning Benefits for institutions and communities: • Connections • School environments and community support • Mission and reach • Staff and volunteers’ level of engagement and satisfaction • Positive relationships with young people • Decreased drop-out rates

17. Service Learning: Transforming the “Project” Into the “Experience”

18. Steps to Service Learning • Planning/Preparation • Action • Reflection • Demonstration • Celebration

19. Planning/Preparation I cannot predict the wind, but I can have my sail ready. E.F. Schumacher, Author

20. Action If you need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of your arm. Yiddish Proverb

21. Reflection To look backward for a while is to refresh the eye, to restore it and to render it more fit for its prime function of looking forward. Margaret Fairless Barber, Author

22. Demonstration/Celebration The job of an educator is to teach students to see the vitality in themselves. Joseph Campbell, Author

23. Essential Elements to Service Learning • Integrated Learning • Meeting Genuine Needs • Youth Voice and Choice • Collaborative Efforts • Reciprocity • Civic Responsibility

24. K-12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice • Meaningful service • Link to Curriculum • Reflection • Diversity • Youth Voice • Partnerships • Progress Monitoring • Duration and Intensity

25. Service Learning: A Blueprint • Step One: Points of Entry • Step Two: Map Out Your Plans • Step Three: Clarify Partnerships • Step Four: Review Plans & Gather Resources • Step Five: Begin the Process of SL in Action • Step Six: Assess the SL Experience

26. Service Learning Outcomes

27. Service Learning: Themes • AIDS Education & Awareness • Animals in Danger • Community Safety • Elderly Issues • The Environment • Gardening • Hunger & Homelessness • Immigrants • Literacy • Social Change: Issues & Action • Special Needs & Disability

28. Group Activity • Complete as much of the ABCs of Service Learning as you can • Present to group

29. Questions/Comments

30. Thank You!!!