Service Learning Semester Project (200 points)
Discover what you can learn through service! Service Learning connects student
learning with community service through direct action, critical thinking, and
reflection. See syllabus for due dates and class time scheduled for SL.
Background:
Your service will likely become a valuable and lasting part of the community. Our
goal is to develop strong relationships with our community partners through both
short-term and long-term projects designed to meet a variety of community
needs (see Service Learning Project Options). Once you submit your approval
form and your project is approved, I will provide the contact information you
need. Note the location of each project. Please choose a project/partner that fits
within your personal time and travel limitations as well as your personal interests.
Sp. 2012 Community Partners – 200 point projects:
Black River Audubon Society
Early College High School
Girl Scouts of North East Ohio
Lake Erie Nature and Science Center
The Oberlin Project
Learning Outcomes:
Service Learning Semester Projects are designed to meet General Education
Outcomes: (#6) Develop precision, clarity, and fluency in writing; (#9) Develop
critical thinking and reasoning skills for problem solving; and (#11) Develop and
appreciation for and an understanding of the benefits of a healthy, active, and
well-balanced lifestyle.
Tasks:
STEP 1: Consider the projects available and submit your Approval form.
Students are limited to one 200-point project but can chose one additional 50point project for elective points. Decide to work alone or organize a group. Not
all projects lend themselves to group work. If you decide to form a group,
discuss the roles each of you will play in completing the project and put those
down on the Approval form. This will foster more realistic expectations going into
the project. Projects will be approved on a “first come-first served” basis. Once
your project is approved, I will provide the contact information you need.
STEP 2: When you receive your contact information on the first Service
Learning Work Day (SLWD – see syllabus), you are ready to call or e-mail and
schedule your service project. Always be professional and courteous.
STEP 3: Before you start the project, open the Data Survey document and
make a mental note of the kind of information you will be asked to report at the
end of your project. Be sure to keep track of this data so you will be able to
complete the online survey at the end of the semester.
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STEP 4: Complete the project as scheduled as best you can. Remember your
Community Partner is counting on you. If you cannot meet the obligations of
the project, please let your Community Partner know right away, and see me as
soon as possible. Make weekly journal entries to document your experience
(see forms on ANGEL). Take lots of pictures to share with the class on
Presentation Days. Service Learning Work Days (SLWD) are scheduled
throughout the semester (see syllabus) to address your questions and check on
your progress. See me during office hours or make an appointment for further
assistance.
STEP 5: When you complete your project, politely ask your Community Partner
to fill out the Community Partner Evaluation form and submit it with the rest of
your project paperwork.
STEP 6: Take some time to reflect on your experience and do some critical
thinking. Complete the project documentation (see below), and share your
project on Presentation Days (see syllabus). Electronic submission of all
documentation is welcome. It is REQUIRED that you submit your Critical
Thinking, Reflection, Future Vision papers electronically. Please provide
electronic copies of pictures whenever possible.
STEP 7: Use the Data Survey form to help you track basic information about
your project. And when you finish your project, complete the short online survey:
http://www.lorainccc.edu/Community+Services/Service+Learning/Getting+Started/Stude
nt+Project+Confirmation+Form.htm. The college values your service to the
community and is interested in evaluating how service learning contributes to
student success.
Project documentation and point-values:
8 Weekly Journal Entries = 40
Community Partner Evaluation = 10
Data Survey = 10
Direct Service = 40
Presentation = 10
Critical Thinking Paper (individual) = 40
Reflection Paper (individual) = 40
Future Vision (individual) = 10
Total = 200 points
List of Forms: Use the forms posted on ANGEL and submit electronically
whenever possible.
1. APPROVAL FORM – Use this form to select your top 3 project choices. If
you decide to work in a group, discuss the possible roles each member of the
group will likely assume, and include these roles on the APPROVAL FORM.
No points associated, but you cannot proceed without it.
2. JOURNAL ENTRY FORM– Dated entries should be made once a week for a
total of 8 entries. (5 points each = 40 points total). If working in a group: Every
entry should include the date and the name of the person making the entry.
 You will receive zero points for missing journal entries.
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Keep track of how many hours you spend each week on the project.
You will receive less than 5 points for incomplete journal entries.
3. COMMUNITY PARTNER EVALUATION (10 points) – It is important that you
form a productive and professional connection with your community partner.
Once the project is completed, ask your community partner to fill out a short form
evaluating your performance. Submit this with your other paperwork.
4. DATA SURVEY (5 points) – Service Learning is important to the mission of
LCCC. Use the Data Survey form to record information about your project.
Remaining Project Components (no forms necessary):
5. DIRECT SERVICE (40 points) – Take credit for the physical action involved
in your project. This service work you do should be clearly documented in your
journal entries and photos whenever possible. Your Community Partner will
have the opportunity to comment on the service you provided.
6. PRESENTATION (10 points) – Presentations are informal. Presentation
length is determined by the number of students planning to present and will be
determined once the projects are assigned. This is a chance to share your
individual experiences with the rest of the class (see syllabus for Presentation
Days).
 If you do not show for your presentation, you will receive a zero points.
 Community partner and partner’s need is identified = 2 points
 Project is summarized = 3 points
 The greatest reward is described = 2 points
 Photos are shown = 3 points
7. CRITICAL THINKING PAPER (40 points) – Describe the biological,
ecological, and/or social significance of the service project you completed (2 – 3
pages typed).
 Analyze the social, economic, and/or environmental challenges you
addressed.
 Define sustainability. In what ways did you contribute to a more
sustainable future?
 Predict the long-term impacts of your efforts.
 How does civic responsibility contribute to community health?
 Establish connections to other course concepts.
 If you reference information, cite your sources.
8. REFLECTION PAPER (40 points) – Tell me about your personal experience
(2 – 3 pages typed). You must provide personal reflection in each of the
following areas to receive the full 40 points.
1. Expectations versus the reality of the project
2. If working in a group: Group dynamics and your role in the group
3. Personal challenges and successes
4. Community connections and impacts
5. Lessons learned and surprises
6. Other (future ideas, general feelings, creative descriptions, etc.)
Here are just a few questions to get you started.
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What did you expect to get out of this project (goals/ideals)?
What roles have you taken on?
How does it feel to take on these new roles?
What about yourself have you shared with your group or community
partner?
 What have others shared with you?
 What has been your greatest personal challenge? Personal success?
 What have you contributed to the community?
 What values, opinions, decisions have been made or changed through
this experience?
 What has surprised you most?
 Would you make any changes if you could do it again? What would you
change?
9. FUTURE VISION PAPER (10 points) – Is it important to you to stay involved
in the community? Will you continue to be of service to others? What do you
want to accomplish in the next 5 years in the following areas (2 points each) of
your life?
 Education
 Career
 Family and Friends
 Community Involvement and Service
 Personal Growth
If working in a group: Your CRITICAL THINKING, REFLECTION, and
FUTURE VISION papers require personal attention. Even if you are working
on a group, you must submit this part of the project individually.
Electronic submissions are required.
Additional Guidelines:
1. Be respectful and cooperative with the other members of the group and your
Community Partner.
2. Demonstrate college level writing skills. Use correct grammar and spelling.
3. Your project is entirely student-driven. You and/or your group are responsible
for completing all parts of the project. Take advantage of Service Learning
Work Days (SLWD). I am also available during office hours and by
appointment to answer questions and offer guidance.
4. Please come to me immediately if you have a serious group conflict that you
cannot resolve within your group or problems communicating with your
community partner. If you identify scheduling or personality conflicts early on,
I will do my best to help you resolve the problem. Do not come to me at the
end of the semester with an incomplete project because your group
could not cooperate. Please tell me as soon as problems arise.