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Lessons Learned in Service-Learning

Lessons Learned in Service-Learning. Experiences in Barry University’s Theology Courses. What is Service-Learning?. A teaching and learning strategy Meaningful service + coursework + critical reflection Enrich the learning experience Foster civic responsibility Strengthen community.

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Lessons Learned in Service-Learning

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  1. Lessons Learned in Service-Learning Experiences in Barry University’s Theology Courses

  2. What is Service-Learning? • A teaching and learning strategy • Meaningful service + coursework + critical reflection • Enrich the learning experience • Foster civic responsibility • Strengthen community

  3. Service-Learning Methods: Learning Communities • Learning Community 1: Individual Choice • Diverse choice of community partnerships • Generic reflection activities • Broad array of experiences to share • Learning Community 2: Project • One community partner • Deliverable: survey, art project, marketing material, etc. • Deeper understanding and relationship with partner • Learning Community 3: Theme • Short list of partners centered around a theme • Different approaches to the theme • Classroom materials, integration, discussion

  4. Service-Learning Methods: Classroom Integration • Orientation Day – invite community partner representatives to the classroom • Materials – documentaries, articles, chapters or whole books • Reflections – • Discussion: ABC (Affect, Behavior, Cognition) • Writing Assignments: final paper or series of reflection papers • Social Analysis – deep and broad understanding of issues • Journals – documenting student responses / reactions • Presentations: group or individual on connections between service and course content • Community partners have been invited in the past

  5. What does it look like? Students completed 10 hours across the opportunities provided per course and had to complete a final paper integrating their experiences with classroom material. Courses integrated additional material relevant to each theme, including: a supplementary book, research and scholarly articles, and documentaries. In class orientation and reflections were also conducted.

  6. Hurdles to Overcome • Timing • Student and community partner schedules • Opportunities available during evenings, days, and weekends • Flexible community partner schedules • Transportation • Separate lists of opportunities with and without transportation provided • Coordination with other campus offices (CCSI, CSI) • Apathy • Service as another “text” for the course • Service that is interesting, unique, challenging • Planning • Opportunities, logistics, and assignments should be set-up prior to the start of the course

  7. Three Lessons Learned Thematic service-learning in two theology courses at Barry: an Introductory Theology course and a Sexual Ethics course • Service Learning = Experiential Learning Lab • Choose themes that are integrally related to subject matter • Intro: Gang Violence • Sexual Ethics: Sex Trafficking and Sexual Orientation • Take the Experiential Learning Out of the Ordinary • Choose placement sites that students usually can’t access • Intro: Walking One-Stops, Juvenile Detention Center, Tutoring • Sexual Ethics: South Beach and Motel Outreach, Pridelines Center • Don’t Outsource Service-Learning • Continue to engage personally or professionally in themes/sites

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