Enhancing Learning Through Alternative Spring Break
Jamie BouldinAssistant Director for Leadership and ServiceStudent Affairs Programs, Stephen F. Austin State University
A little about me• Assistant Director for Leadership and Service – Student Affairs Programs• Worked at SFA for two years• Alumna of SFA (Axe ‘em Jacks!) and The University of Tennessee (It’s great to be a Tennessee Vol!)• Areas of oversight• Experience with service learning
• [email protected]• (936) 468-1088
In this presentation• Team Leaders• Location• Student Team• Pre-trip Activities• Service Projects• Wrap-ups• Post-trip Reflections• Budget
SFA’s ASB trips•2010
–First ASB trip through Leadership and Service–New Orleans, La–Habitat for Humanity and New Orleans Mission
•2011–Memphis, Tenn.–Shelby Farms, Boys and Girls Club, Mid-South Food Bank
Above: ASB 2011, Boys and Girls Club of Memphis
Left: ASB 2010, New Orleans
Getting started• Plan learning outcomes
for your program• Start early – many places
book up and contracts always take longer than anticipated
• Set a budget• Think outside the box for
locations and projects• Multi-stage reflection
components
Team Leaders• Choose students to help
facilitate the trip• Gives them experience • Enhances their learning• Peer-to-peer reflections• Expectations• Location proposals• Leadership training• Risk management training
Location Proposal Criteria• Destination restrictions• Housing options• Service project options• Fun activities• Educational aspect• Pre-trip meeting activities• Reflection components• Transportation• Budget
Location• Drive time• Activities• Culture• Housing options• Educational elements• Variety of service projects
Choosing Participants• Application and
interviews• Questions can begin the
reflection process• Including a service project• Diversity • Team Leader involvement• Expectations Above and Far
Left: ASB 2010, Habitat for Humanity
Left: ASB 2010, New Orleans Mission
Connections to curriculum• Diverse majors• Tailor activities to their
majors• Encourage discussion that
utilizes things they have learned in the classroom
• Develop opportunities for projects/research
Pre-Trip Activities• Multiple pre-trip meetings• Educational opportunities
– Faculty lecturers– Incorporating music and
films– Discussion topics– Readings
• Each meeting is a chance for them to get to know each other on a deeper level
• Will strengthen the team• Gives you a foundation for
reflection and assessment• Confront stereotypes
Selecting Service Projects• Vary your activities
– NOLA: Two days with New Orleans Mission (homeless shelter), three days with Habitat
– Memphis: Two days with Mid-South Food Bank, one day with Shelby Farms (environmental projects), one day with B&CG
• Choose projects that lend themselves to meaningful experiences
• Contact with population served
Above: ASB 2011
Left: ASB 2010
Selecting Service Projects• Sign up early • Confirm early and often• Select projects that offer
meaningful work• Reflection opportunities• Encourage the students to
ask questions while at the site
• Make them interact – don’t let them crowd up for lunch or down times
Reflection Opportunities• Offer a multitude of ways to reflect• Allow them to be creative• Include it throughout the day• Structure the activities• Allow the team leaders to head it up• Journaling
ASB 2011: Creating a reflection banner
Suggested activities• Draw Your Impact• Reflection Journals• Blogging• Peer Interviews• Highs and Lows• Quotation Reflections• If I Had A Million Dollars• Budget Exercise• Reflection of the Senses
More suggested activities• On The Spot Reflections• Role Plays• Sentence Stems• Strong Circle• Force Field Analysis
All Reflection, All The Time!• Take advantage of down times, like van rides and eating• Encourage it in ways that don’t feel like work• Give them a break every once in a while
Post-Trip Activities• Follow up assessment• Collect journals• Allow them to continue
blogging
Top Related