Helping Teachers Define, Design, and Do Helping Teachers Define, Design, and Do Service Learning ProjectsService Learning Projects

Dennis RosemartinDennis RosemartinUniversity of ArizonaUniversity of Arizona

December 3, 2010December 3, 2010

Goals for presentation

1) Develop a better understanding of what a Service Learning Project can look like in the context of schooling (elementary to college level)

2) Understand the different components of a Service Learning Project

3) Take home a draft of a Service Learning Project

Objectives

Introductions

Define Service Learning

Look at examples of Service Learning projects

Design and develop a Service Learning project

Do a Service Learning Project (in your community)

Introductions

Name, Institution, and experience with Service Learning

February 24, 2010

Tulane Students Embrace Service LearningBy Jeff GreerHurricane Katrina blasted the city of New Orleans. Tulane University shut down for a semester; by the time it reconvened, it had lost plenty of students. But the students who did return—and the new students arriving on campus—found a university committed to public service, a school clamoring for its students to get involved in rebuilding the city. 

Published: January 20, 2009 Speech Puts a New Frame on Obama’s Call to Serve By Michiko Kakutani“find meaning in something greater than themselves” and to boldly enter a “new era of responsibility.”

24 February 2008 Issue: 0017US: Service learning expanding rapidly Anne Langworthy*For a variety of reasons, service learning in America has grown rapidly to suit different purposes: as a means of engaging students with communities, promoting civic and social responsibility, and enhancing student learning of academic content.

How do you define service learning?(what do we think are key elements of Service Learning)

“the elevator speech”(one sentence)

What do the experts say?

• Promotes learning through active participation in service experiences

• Provides structured time for students to reflect by thinking, discussing and/or writing about their service experience

• Provides an opportunity for students to use skills and knowledge in real-life situations

• Extends learning beyond the classroom and into the community

• Fosters a sense of caring for others

(adapted from the National and Community Service Act of 1990)

Definitions:

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. (National Service Learning Clearinghouse)

Service learning is learning about an issue in the community by active and reflective practice, which leads to a better understanding and possibly a solution of the issue. (Rosemartin)

Service Learning Projects

Recycling ClubRecycling ClubDavidson Elementary SchoolDavidson Elementary School

20072007

Humane Borders Trail Clean-upHumane Borders Trail Clean-upUniversity of ArizonaUniversity of Arizona

20092009

Community Food BankCommunity Food BankUniversity of ArizonaUniversity of Arizona

20102010

Students4th – 5th graders

Issuetrash in landfills and in washes

Partner organizations Watershed Management Group Peace Corps Fellows

Activityschool recycling programwash clean-up

Response“I’m saving the world”“Can we do this every Saturday?”

Recycling ClubDavidson Elementary School

StudentsUniversity Juniors - Seniors

Issuemarginalized group in schools

Partner organizations Humane Borders Peace Corps Fellows

Activitymigrant trail clean-up

Responses“I had no idea.”

Humane Borders Trail Clean-upUniversity of Arizona

StudentsUniversity Juniors - Seniors

Issueschool children living in poverty

Partner organization Community Food Bank

Activitypack emergency food boxes

Responses“I told another organization about the opportunity to help.”

Community Food BankUniversity of Arizona

Components of a Service Learning Project (RMC Research Corporation)

Designing a Service Learning Project

Key points to take home

Service Learning connects what is being learned in the classroom to the community outside of the classroom through participation in a project that addresses the needs of the community.

It is important to include all the components of Service Learning into the project.

Developing and implementing a Service Learning Project requires good planning and management.