Integrating Service Learning into
the Traditional Classroom
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
http://kirtland.edu/service/
2
Definition of Service Learning
Community Service Learning is a
pedagogical model that connects
meaningful community service experiences
with academic course learning.
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007
3
A Context for Service-Learning
1. Service-learning is an effective pedagogy - an
2.
3.
academically rigorous method to teach course
content in a discipline.
Service-learning as an engaged pedagogy is
not the goal - it is a means to an end - a means
to the end of civic education.
Service-learning is a movement in higher
education - transforming colleges and
universities in every sector, in many disciplines,
across the country and internationally.
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007
4
Benefits of Service Learning
• Enriches student learning of course
material
• Engages students in active learning that
demonstrates the relevance of their
academic work
• Increases awareness of current societal
issues as they relate to academic areas.
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007
5
Benefits of Service Learning
• Broadens perspectives of diversity
issues and enhances critical thinking.
• Improves interpersonal skills.
• Develops civic responsibility through
active community involvement.
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007
6
Benefits of Service Learning
Community:
• Provides substantial human resources to
•
•
•
meet educational, human, safety, and
environmental needs of local
communities.
Allows the energy and enthusiasm of
students to contribute to meeting needs.
Fosters an ethic of service and civic
participation in students.
Creates potential for additional
partnerships and collaboration.
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007
7
The Best Service Learning
Programs
1.
2.
3.
4.
Are bound directly to the academic curriculum.
Meet a real community need.
Provide for structured group reflection time.
Engage students in group decisions and problem
solving.
Match the skills of students with community needs.
Provide a wide variety of options for students.
5.
6.
7. Provide recognition for services rendered.
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007
8
Service Learning:
Essential Elements
 Reciprocity
 Reflection
 Development:



QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Enabling to empowering;
Observation, to experience;
Following to leadership.
 Meaningful Service
 Diversity
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007
9
Ways to Integrate a Service
Component
•
•
•
•
•
•
Independent 4th credit option
Required within a course
Option within a course
Class Service Projects
Disciplinary Capstone Projects
Service Research Projects
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
10
Principles of Good Practice
•
•
•
•
Academic credit is for learning, not for service
Do not compromise academic rigor
Set learning goals for students
Establish criteria for the selection of
community service placements
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007
11
Principles of Good Practice
• Provide educationally-sound mechanisms to
•
•
•
•
•
harvest the community learning
Provide supports for students to learn how to
harvest the community learning
Minimize the distinction between the
community and classroom learning roles
Re-think the faculty instructional role
Prepare for variation in student outcomes
Maximize the community responsibility
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007
12
Resources and Support Services
Quic kT i me™ and a
T IFF (Unc ompres s ed) dec ompres s or
are needed t o s ee thi s pi c ture.
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
www.micampuscompact.org/
https://secure.stulife.cmich.edu/VolunteerCenter/
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007
13
Service Learning Project Design
•Lunch Discussion Results (open discussion)
•Enhanced Academic Learning
•Relevant Service
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007
14
The Counternormative Nature of
Academic Service-Learning
Student
Responsibility
StudentÕsRole
InstructorÕ
s
Role
Learning
Methodology
Pedagogy
Epistemology
Tra ditional
Classroom
Community
Classroom
Serv ice
Learning
Classroom
individu al
responsibility
social
responsibility
social
responsibility
passiv e
active
active
dir ectiv e
facilit ativ e
facilit ativ e
deductive
indu ctiv e
both
Ņbanking Ó
constructivis tic
syne rgist ic
positivi stic
subje ctiv istic
both
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007
15
Promoting Learning:
[Cognitive Sciences Suggest Six Foci]
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Approaches that emphasize application and experience
Approaches in which faculty constructively model the learning
process
Approaches that emphasize linking established concepts to new
situations
Approaches the emphasize interpersonal collaboration
Approaches that emphasize rich and frequent feedback on
performances
Curricula that consistently develop a limited set of clearly
identified, cross-disciplinary skills that are publicly held to be
important
*source: Peter Ewel, “Organizing for Learning.” AAHE Bulletin, December, 1997, pp. 3-6
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007
16
The Kolb Learning Cycle
Concrete
Experience
Action
Experimentation
Reflective
Observation
Abstract
Conceptualization
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007
17
Steps to Develop and Execute
A Service Learning Strategy
1. Consider the courses you teach and determine
how community service might be helpful to
enrich learning in that discipline.
2. With service sites or activities in mind, consider
your goals and motives in using the application.
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007
18
Steps to Develop and Execute
A Service Learning Strategy
3. Based upon your motives, goals, and
4.
objectives, choose a course service option.
Once you have chosen how service will be
incorporated, review and alter your course
objectives and syllabus to reflect the
change.
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007
19
Steps to Develop and Execute
A Service Learning Strategy
5. On the first day of class, explain and
promote the ideas behind including
Service Learning in your class.
Explain the benefits to the student and
the community.
6. Work with students to develop specific
service and learning objectives for
their service experiences.
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007
20
Steps to Develop and Execute
A Service Learning Strategy
7. Teach students how to harvest the service
experience for knowledge.
8. Link the service experience to your
academic course content through deliberate
and guided reflection.
http://www.compact.org/disciplines/reflection/
9. Evaluate your Service Learning outcomes
as you would any other product.
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007
21
Syllabus Addendum
•
Mathematics is an integral part of many jobs and situations we face. Many times it is
used so often that we don’t even think about it. Thus as we prepare for a future
vocation it important to see, yes even experience mathematics in real situations. If we
can experience the math we will need in our chosen field the academic preparation
becomes even more intrinsically important. To this end, the following activity will allow
you to experience the math needed in your program.
•
Throughout the semester you will have the opportunity to work at a community service
agency in a field of your choice. This is an opportunity for you to study mathematics
related to your field. It is expected that the student will make this a worthwhile
experience for himself or herself, and for the participating organization.
•
The following is a list of requirements, definitions and a timetable for the completions
of this project. This is a required lab activity and will be treated as all the other labs.
Failure to complete this part will be recorded as a zero for that lab grade. Since there
are few labs, missing any one will significantly affect your grade. Thus it is imperative
that you stay current and complete each section as the due dates indicate.
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007
22
Advice on Designing a
Service Learning Course
1. Are course goals and objectives realistic?
2. Has advance planning taken place with
the community agency to effectively
integrate service-based learning with
course goals and objectives?
3. What provisions have been made for
evaluation and assessment?
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007
23
Service Learning Websites:
•
•
•
•
•
AAHE:
www.aahe.org/service/
AACC:
www.aacc.nche.edu/servicelearning
www.colorado.edu/servicelearning/
Campus Compact
www.Compact.org
National Service-Learning Clearinghouse
www.ServiceLearning.org
• Service-Learning – Higher Education Guide
www.ServiceLearningHigherEd.com
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007
24
Recent Student Comments Concerning Their
Service Learning Projects
•
... I fell that this was a good learning experience. I felt I walked away with more
knowledge. ..I had a pretty good idea of how math was involved and I would definitely
volunteer more.
•
... It should also stay in the curriculum. .... You grow up taking math classes and you
question why you need to know this, ” I’m never going to use it”. The community
service activity helps you realize that you do use math some of it consciously and
sometimes unconsciously.
•
... My experience was wonderful. I like volunteering because I meet people and if you
mess up something you can’t get fired...
•
... I think it’s weird that it’s required in a math class. I would expect it in a speech,
English or Health class but not math. I always think of math as a class you have to
take to get out of the way, not to have to apply to your everyday life.
•
... I would not trade this experience in for any other that I have experienced at school
and I am also considering helping her out as much as I can.
Nicholas Holton
Kirtland Community College
© 2007
25