Service-Learning in Action:
Your poster title here
Your name(s) here
This “Open Format” template is for people comfortable using design elements (text boxes, graphics, background colors). You are
free to create your own design elements, but follow the important content elements listed below.
REQUIRED ELEMENTS
Your poster must have these items:
1. Service-Learning Logo: Use only one of the logos at the top. Choose the
one that looks the best with your background and delete the other two.
2. At least two quality photos or graphics. You must have a signed photo consent
for any photos of community members (unless community partner already has
on file).
3. A section with refection (see below)
4. Do not put text or graphics all the way to the edge of the file. Give at least one
inch margin.
5. Class Name, Number, and Semester: (i.e.: Psyc 309: Childhood
Development, Spring 2011)
6. Instructor Name: (Dr. Cindy Clark)
7. Community Partner Name
8. Community Partner’s Mission Statement
9. Service Project Purpose (How did you help the agency/community? , for
example: to mentor with at-risk youth, work towards the prevention of
HIV/AIDS, provide companionship to a senior, research population needs,
etc.)
10. Learning goals (What did your instructor want you to learn from your
service?) for example: develop a better understanding of the applications of
psychological principles, specifically related to working with children. Hint–
check your syllabus for a statement from your instructor about why they have
included SL in the class).
11. File Name: save ppt file with this format: Class Name_ Poster Title_
Submitters Last Name. Example: SOCWRK 101_Child Hunger_Finnegan
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
STYLE GUIDELINES:
Rules of thumb to follow for a great poster
Font size should not be smaller than 32, unless it is a citation or notation.
Do not put all of your text in bold or outline. Save bold font for headings.
Do not use an exotic font or light colors on text.
Photos and graphics should be in the highest quality possible. Photos from a
digital camera are ideal. Do not take a very small picture/graph/clip art
from the internet and enlarge more then twice its original size. It will be
fuzzy and look bad. To check the quality of your photo, zoom to 50%.
This is approximately what it will look like when it prints.
Spell check and proof read your submission multiple times. Have someone
outside of your team proof read your poster before submitting. A typo on a
poster that is 3’ x 4’ is extremely noticeable.
Avoid using black or neon colors as a background.
Avoid using shadow or other enhancements to your images. It makes the
file very large and can make the poster visually cluttered.
Be creative! The poster can be as artsy or academic as you like as long as the
requirements are met and the guidelines have been followed.
Powerpoint Tutorials
1. Click “HERE” to view how to add photos to your Powerpoint poster
2. Click “HERE” to view how to add text to your Powerpoint poster.
3. Click “HERE” to view how to adjust margins on you Powerpoint poster.
Reflection
Critical reflection is a crucial part of service-learning. It allows you to use critical thinking to gain a deeper understanding of your service and course materials. Your reflection gives
the audience a richer description of your service activities and how you have applied your experiences to your learning and vice versa. Reflection is not just a description of “warm
fuzzies” (although those are nice to include), it is an opportunity to ask examine the “why” and “what now” of your service experience.
Example Reflection Questions
• How does this experience enhance my knowledge of a specific reading, theory, or concept? Does it challenge or reinforce my prior understanding?
• Why is there need for my service? What do I perceive as the underlying issue, and why does it exist? Are there connections to public policy at the local, state, or national level?
• What obstacles-internal and external-hindered me? What factors made me more effective?
• What is in the interest of the common good in this situation? In what ways is the individual good (mine or that of other people) linked to and/or contrary to the common good?
What tradeoffs between them are involved?
• More sample reflection questions are at this link http://servicelearning.boisestate.edu/faculty/planning-to-use-sl/integrate-reflection/discussion-questions/