ATTACHMENT #18

ATTACHMENT #18

We have an expectation that every organization that works with the Center will participate in frequent service learning workshops. The following outlines the philosophy and sequence in a proposed five day workshop.

Opening Day:

            What is Service Learning and how might it apply to your agency?

• Provide a general definition of service learning.
• Present an overview of service learning concepts.
• Offer selected examples of successful service learning projects.
• Service learning guest speaker.

What are the benefits of service learning to students?

Facilitate a discussion of service learning outcomes and benefits to students.  Use the following list as a guide, but stay open to members’ ideas.  Service learning benefits include, but are not limited to:

§         Increases communication skills.

§         Promotes teamwork.

§         Develops a sense of civic responsibility.

§         Builds teamwork.

§         Increases critical thinking skills.

§         Improves grades.

§         Improves attendance.

§         Increases mathematical reasoning.

§         Offers real-world training and experience.

§         Encourages problem solving.

§         Offers vocational and practical skills.

§         Builds self-esteem.

§         Enhances public speaking skills.

§         Increases computer skills.

§         Promotes analysis.

What are the benefits of service learning to your agency and the community?

Facilitate a discussion of service learning outcomes and benefits to the community.   This is an open-forum format and answers will vary considerably based on agency needs, personnel, experiences, and point of view.  Keep the discussion as open as possible to allow for a wide range of viewpoints.  Benefits will like include but are not limited to:

§         Opportunities for project development.

§         Increased awareness of needs in the community.

§         Enhancement and/or completion of important community projects.

§         Improved relationships between students and the community.

§         Opportunities for mentorship.

§         Opportunities for students to contribute to their community in a meaningful way.

§         Creation of an agency “wish list” for evaluation by student panel for applicability to the program.

§         Seed money to advance community projects.

§         Opportunity for grant development to further enhance agency goals.

§         Opportunities for public visibility.

Day Two:

   Characteristics of Successful Service Learning Projects

   Present information related to the creation and implementation of successful service learning projects.   Explain that there are key components that should be addressed when considering development of a project.  Discuss each of the following components and their importance to the success of any project.

§         Vision/mission that is in alignment with the vision of the school’s service learning program.

§         Quality – capitalizing on what your agency does well.

§         Support and leadership – discuss options for board membership, faculty-community relationships, staff assistance.

§         Academic/curriculum components in service learning projects.

§         Multiple options to serve differing student needs.

§         Student support, leadership, and commitment to the project.

§         Faculty support and commitment to the project.

§         Agency/community involvement in all aspects of the project.

§         Opportunities for innovation, new ways of thinking, new ways of doing.

§         Clearly defined student goals, including academic, social, and career.

§         Clearly defined community goals.

§         Clearly defined outcomes with a focus on assessment, with clearly defined, measurable objectives.

§         Involvement in local, state, and national programs that open the way for further grant development.

Key Roles in Service Learning

               Present information on the roles in any project for the following collaborators:

§         Students

§         Faculty

§         Community & Fiscal Agencies

§         Staff

Day Three:

   Create a Service Learning Project Template

               Spend the training day working towards formulating a template to use in development of service learning projects.  Encourage development of an initial project that can serve as a template.  Include:

§         Generate an idea.

§         Correlate the idea to its academic components.

§         Focus on the interdisciplinary components of service learning projects.

§         Decide which faculty will be involved in the project.

§         Develop the project curriculum (in conjunction with faculty).

§         Formulate a proposal.

§         Present proposals to the project review board.

§         Build in options for student involvement.

Day Four:

   Project Implementation

               Discuss implementation of service learning projects, emphasizing the partnership aspects of any project, and including the following items:

§         Administrative responsibilities shared between agencies and the school.

§         Maintenance of cooperative relationships.

§         Methods of assigning students to projects.

§         Collaboration with faculty and students.

§         Ongoing project evaluation.

§         Ongoing student assessment and evaluation.

§         Ongoing problem solving strategies.

§         Mentor relationships/student guidance.

§         Outcomes assessment of students’ learning.

§         Final project evaluation.

§         Student reflection.

Day Five:

   Workshop Wrap Up

               On the final day of the training session, discuss the following topics, as well as any identified by participants as needing further input.

§         How to pursue complementary grants.

§         Innovation in service learning projects.

§         How to capitalize on new projects.

§         Research into service learning topics.

§         Community fund-raising.

§         National, state, and local initiatives that apply to service learning projects.

§         Samples of successful service learning projects across the country and in the state.