April 19, 2011Paul H. Matthews, Ph.D. |

pmatthew@uga.edu

Shannon O. Wilder, Ph.D. | swilder@uga.edu

Integrating Academic Service-Learning in your

First-Year Odyssey Seminar

Linking FYOS and Service-Learning

FYO Goal 1: Introduce students to learning/academics and engage in academic culture; “assignments and discussions will encourage reflection…”

FYO Goal 2: Meaningful dialogue to “encourage positive, sustained student-faculty interactions”

FYO Goal 3: “introduce students to the instruction, research, public service and international missions” of UGA; service-learning explicitly recommended here

What is Academic Service-Learning?

Academic Service-LearningService learning is a course-based, credit-bearing educational experience in which students:

• participate in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs, and• reflect on the service activity in such a way as to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of personal values and civic responsibility.__________

(Bringle, R., & Hatcher, J. (1995). A service-learning curriculum for faculty. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 2, pp. 112-122.)

Dimensions of Learning in Academic Service-Learning

Critical reflectionPersonal(Personal Outcomes)

Civic(Social Outcomes)

Academic(Learning Outcomes)

Reflection…“What?”— “So What?”— “Now What?”

So, A Service-Learning Course . . .

is characterized by student participation in an organized service activity

is connected to specific learning outcomes

meets identified community needs provides structured time for

students to analyze and connect the service experience to learning through critical reflection

benefits all stakeholders…

Benefits for Students

Benefits for Faculty

Benefits for Community & Institution

To think about when constructing a

service-learning course:EngagementReflectionReciprocityPublic Dissemination

Considerations and Concerns for SL in a First Year Odyssey

Seminar

Transportation Logistics

Time management

Considerations and Concerns for FYOS and Service-Learning

Finding a Project Partner

Figuring Out Best Practices

Service-Learning Project Examples

Service-Learning Project Examples

More Possible Connections for your FYOS Service Activities…

1. Latino Initiative2. School and Community

Gardens3. Archway Partnership4. Campus Kitchen/ACCA5. JJ Harris Elementary School; “Whatever it

Takes”6. Community organizations listed in

HandsOn Northeast Georgia’s web portalhttp://handsonnortheastgeorgia.org/

So, Some Summary SL Syllabus Suggestions

Include details on the service activity (need, nature, assessment)

Specify roles and responsibilities Prepare students for community work Assignments link the service placement

and the course content Public dissemination/celebration of

students’ work

Where Can I Learn More?

Contact us at the Office of Service-Learning:Dr. Shannon O. Wilder, OSL Director, swilder@uga.edu 706-542-0535Dr. Paul Matthews, OSL Assistant Director, pmatthew@uga.edu 706-542-0892OSL Website: http://www.servicelearning.uga.eduWe can add you to the Service-Learning listserv, & invite you to the Service-Learning Interest GroupOSL provides various resources as well

“I truly believe that there is no greater education than service learning; experience such as this, is something you could

never learn from text books or multiple choice exams. You are able to learn and grow as a student while doing some good in our community and helping make the future brighter for many

[others]; what more could you ask for?”