Guidebook on Service Learning
For Students
Mott Community College
2011-2012
“Educating the
mind without
educating the
heart is no
education
at all.”
-Aristotle
Table of Contents
What is
Service-Learning?
1
Things to Remember
1
Finding a Community
Partner
2
Service Site Guidelines
2
Reflection Strategies
2
Student Agreement for
Service-Learning
3
About the Office for
Professional Development
and Experiential Learning
4
Flint Corps
4
What is Service-Learning?
Service-Learning is a method of study
in which students apply course
concepts to the “real-world” through
volunteer service within the Greater
Flint Community. Meaningful service is
paired with critical thinking and
reflection to create a worthwhile
experience and deeper learning of key
course objectives.
Service-Learning is not the same thing
as volunteering or as an internship or
co-op position. With service-learning,
the benefits are mutual and
reciprocal. As you serve and help the
community, you learn the course
material at a deeper level through
engagement and reflection upon your
experience.
Service-Learning allows you, the
student, to apply course content, and
is often times much more enjoyable
than traditional
coursework like
research papers or
exams.
Below is the connection between
active learning and knowledge retention, and the relationship is this:
The More We Do, the More We Know.
Service-Learning, while
supplementing in-class
instruction, prepares
and enables you to
become a civically-minded
and community-engaged
citizen.
Things to Remember
Manage your time well! If an
instructor requires you to find
your own community partner, do
so as soon as possible!
Projects and time commitments
will vary– be patient.
Transportation may be required
to and from your service site.
Plan this in advance.
Do not try to convert or „save‟
those you serve in the
community, just serve.
Go into your Service-Learning
project with an open mind. You
never know what you may
discover about yourself!
If in doubt, ask your instructor!
That‟s why they‟re there!
Guidebook on Service Learning
Page 2
Finding a Community Partner
Your instructor may require you to
find your own community partner for
your Service-Learning.
You should look for a community
organization or agency relevant to
your course. Some examples include:
Did You Know?
A volunteer hour in
Michigan is worth
approximately
$20.
Whaley Children‟s Center for a
child education class
Flint Institute of Arts for a fine
arts course
The Buick Gallery for mechanics
or engineering
Humane Society for business
courses (exploring the nonprofit
sector)
The Boys & Girls Club for
physical education
Really, just look for a community
partner with an open mind. You may
notice some connections that nobody
else has!
If you have troubles finding a
community partner, you can visit the
Center for Teaching & Learning (3106
Mott Library) for a list of approved
community partners, or search online
at one of these websites.
Resource Genesee:
www.resourcegenesee.org
Hands On Network:
www.handsonnetwork.org
Volunteer Match:
www.volunteermatch.org
Service Site Guidelines
While performing service for your
service-learning course, it is
important to treat the experience as
paid employment.
Maintain client confidentiality.
This means:
Be on-time and reliable, as well
as responsible and
non-judgmental.
Follow all the rules listed in the
Mott Student Code of Conduct
Abide by the community
partner‟s policies and practices.
Clothing should be neat and
professional. Dress for the
service you‟re going to perform!
Meet the community partner‟s
service goals!
The full list of guidelines is available
on your Student Agreement for
Service-Learning. This form must be
filled out by you and your instructor
before you can partake in servicelearning. A sample, completed copy is
included in this guidebook (page 3).
For more information, contact the
Center for Teaching & Learning (3106
Mott Library).
Reflection Strategies
Reflection is your time. It‟s a time to
challenge your beliefs, opinions, and
values. It is a platform for you to ask
questions and share your ideas or
experiences. You may
brainstorm new solutions
to current problems within
the community.
There are several
types of reflection
methods, and you
may have a specific model required by
your instructor. Reflection models
include:
Journaling or
blogging
Papers/Essays
Portfolios or
Posters
In-class
Group Discussion is one of the most
Presentations
popular forms of reflection among
both students and instructors.
Group Discussion (in-class or at
service-site)
No matter what reflection strategy
you use, be sure to ask yourself these
two key questions:
Did I approach this project with
a personal bias?
How did my service help me
understand my course?
Guidebook on Service Learning
Page 3
Mott Community College Office of Professional Development and Experiential Learning
Student-Faculty Agreement for Service-Learning
Service learning gives students a unique chance to experience the working world while still applying classroom knowledge. To
take part in this experience, students must understand that they are representatives of their instructor and the college.
Students must agree to the following:
Mott Community College students, faculty and staff members will:
Model appropriate professional behavior when working with clients, Community Partner staff, and community members
when serving at the Community Partner‟s site.
Meet the Community Partner‟s service goals.
Abide by all policies and practices of the Community Partner, including maintaining client confidentiality.
Be on-time and reliable.
When at all feasible, call at least 24 hours in advance if unable to perform service during the scheduled time.
Refrain from drug or alcohol use prior to or during service at the site.
Become familiar with the neighborhood and environment of the service site with assistance from the Community
Partner.
Report immediately any suspicions of abuse, neglect, or criminal activity to both the Community Partner Site Supervisor
and the relevant MCC faculty member.
Avoid service with vulnerable client populations until clearing all Criminal History Background Checks and/or other
processes that may be required by MCC and/or the Community Partner or by law.
Follow all rules listed in the MCC Student Code of Conduct.
Students‟ actions and participation will be reflected in their grades depending upon the weight of the service assignment in the
syllabus.
Primary Learning Objective: Practice human relations principles and skills and document civic
engagement activities
Responsibilities and Duties of Student: Report to North End Soup Kitchen and serve a total of 45
hours. Document service in reflection journal, including: dates of service and # of hours,
first names of staff and clientele you got to know, and answer the 6 reflection questions
provided in-class. Create final service presentation to give in-class.
Service Agency Information:
Agency name and address North End Soup Kitchen, 735 E. Stewart Ave, Flint, MI 48505
Supervisor name John Manse, Director
Supervisor contact info Phone: 810-785-6911, Email: jmanse@ccsgc.org
Agency‟s mission Catholic Charities of Shiawassee & Genesee Counties is committed to
providing help and creating hope by offering diverse human services for the poor
and most vulnerable in our community.
Orientation/Training required to serve Tour of facilities and basic kitchen hygienic practices
Total number of service hours to be completed 45 hours, over the course of the semester
Student Signature John A. Student
Date September 22, 2011
Faculty/ Staff Signature Jane T. Professor
Date September 22, 2011
Mott Community College
Office of Professional Development and Experiential Learning
Center for Teaching and Learning
3106 Mott Library
1401 East Court Street
Flint, MI 48503-2089
Phone: 810-762-5623
Email: chulindra.cooks@mcc.edu
Robin McClain
2011-2012 AmeriCorps*VISTA
3106D Mott Library
Phone: 810-762-5148
Email: robin.mcclain@mcc.edu
“Don’t look at this service as
something you have to do, but look
at it as making a difference.”
-Former Service-Learning Student
www.mcc.edu/pdo
The Office of Experiential Learning
Mission: “The mission of the Experiential Learning Office at Mott Community College is to support the
development and integration of meaningful, active, hands-on experience for students in order to meet learning
objectives and community needs.”
Goal Statements:
To provide a centralized source of information relative to experiential learning for the college
To continue to develop systems that use experiential (work-based and community-based) learning to further
develop the academic and technical skills of students at Mott Community College
To provide support and resources to faculty interested in the integration of experiential learning into their courses
To provide support and resources to students interested in experiential learning, in order that they grow and
become engaged citizens through service and academics
To identify and support opportunities for students by connecting theory with experience and thought with actions to
realize learning objectives in MCC/Academic and Career Technical Education and programs and courses
To build capacity and fulfill needs in our community through reciprocal partnerships and establish MCC as a
community partner that provides benefit to students, area businesses and the overall community
Flint Corps
The Mission
Flint Corps is a collective effort by the
colleges in the city to involve students
in the community through service.
The Corps believes that service,
volunteerism and philanthropy are
essential to equip students with the
tools to become tomorrow‟s thinkers,
visionaries, leaders, and
problem-solvers.
Ultimately, our goal is to improve the
Flint community in which we all live,
work, and study!
What We Do
Promote teamwork and respect
between college students,
faculty and staff, and the
community
Create and maintain connections
with Flint community members
and partners
Prepare and inspire students to
become engaged citizens and
future leaders
Organize, promote, and
coordinate service
opportunities for students
As a Flint Corps Member,
students have the
opportunity to:
Serve their
community with
fellow students and
community
members
Earn Service Hours
towards
Guidebook edited by Robin McClain, 2011-2012 AmeriCorps*VISTA
Modeled on Delta College’s Student Service-Learning Handbook and Mott Community College’s Guidebook on Service Learning
recognitions including
certificates and honors
Participate in an end-of-year
celebration
Make lifelong connections and
friendships with those you
serve!
If you‟re interested about learning
more about Flint Corps, or
about joining, visit the
Center for Teaching and
Learning or “Like” Flint
Corps on Facebook!
www.facebook.com/
flintcorps