Agents of Change Through
Service-Learning

• SL helps you apply YOUR knowledge and skills…
• To a REAL problem in your school or community.
– Checking out a problem.
– Preparing a plan of action.
– Rolling up your sleeves and doing.
– Keeping a record/journal.
– Figuring out what it all means.

Community Service
• NO…
– Youth involvement
– Needs identification
– Brainstorming
– Planning
– Links to learning
– Orientation
– Some meaning
– Observation
– Evaluation
– Isolated celebration
Community Service
V.S.
Service-Learning
Service-Learning
• Yes…
– Youth selected project
– Community involvement
– Needs identified
– Plan of Action
– Learning links made to curricula
– Pre-service orientation
– Criteria for meaningful service
– Observations made
– New understanding gained
– Celebrated by all

New
Application
Celebration
Evaluation:
New Understanding
Problem
Solving
Student & Community
Ownership
Identifying a
Genuine Need
Planning &
Preparation
Meaningful
Service
Experience
Observation

• Should you decide to accept it…
– SELECT a problem
– RESEARCH the problem
– DESIGN an Action Plan
– DO the planned project
– EVALUATE the results
– CELEBRATE your success!

• Select the project focus
• Provide leadership by:
– Taking initiative
– Identifying needs
– Making decisions
– Collaborating with community representatives
– Developing partnerships
– Exercising “reciprocity”

• Identify NEEDS based on what you know now.
• INVESTIGATE further through collaborations.
• Develop CRITERIA to narrow your focus.
• PRIORITIZE according to criteria.
• SHARE results.

• Surveys
• Interviews
• Observation
• Research
• Community Mapping
• Meetings/Forum

• DEVELOP committees to investigate needs.
• ELECT a chairperson of each committee.
• CHOOSE a committee based on your…
– Knowledge
– Skills
– Resources
– Personal Interests

• Set goals:
– What do you want people to come away with at the end?
– How will people benefit?
• Map out plans:
– What will be taught?
– What will you do?
– How do you want to present it?
• Clarify partnerships:
– Who do you want to participate with you?
– What do you want them to do?
• Gather Resources:
– What do you need to carry out your plans?
– Guest speakers?

• What has changed?
– Beliefs
– Assumptions
– Attitudes
• Where and when did they change?
• What might you have done differently?
• What do you think will happen next?

• Follow your blueprint.
• Collaborate with partners.
• Work together for success.
• Be flexible:
– Action allows ideas to become real.
– Unexpected outcomes may occur.

• What is happening?
– Reactions
– Comments
– Attitudes
– Behaviors
– Responses

• How well did the plan work?
– Barriers?
– Limitations?
– Organization?
– Teamwork?
• Who could help?
• Have new needs been identified?
• What improvements are necessary?

• Share…
– Discussions
– Presentations
– News articles
– Photographs
• Keep a journal:
– What happened?
– How was it special?
– How did you feel?
– Any new ideas?
– Questions?
– How did you make a difference?

• Assess the experience:
– What was learned?
– What impact was made?
– Who received benefits?
• What was successful? Unsuccessful?
• How effective was the project plan?
– What would you do differently?
– How could it be enhanced?

• Recognize achievement…
– “Thank you” letter or gift
– Ceremony
– Field trip
– Award
– Prize
– Party
– FUN!

• What did YOU learn?
– About yourself?
– Working with others?
– About your community?
• How will this project:
– Influence your life or future
– Develop a sense of community
– Clarify needs or issues
– Improve observation and analysis
– Increase an appreciation of others
– Deepen knowledge and understanding

This slide show will self-destruct in
5 seconds… is a part of the…
• Prepared by:
• Karol Osborne
• Extension Agent – 4-H
• Madison Parish