Keith LanserExperiential Learning Facilitator

Gateway Community and Technical College

After today’s session, you will be able to:•Define service learning•Compare service learning to other kinds of experiential learning experiences•Discuss service learning best practices•Evaluate a service learning experience through reflection•Celebrate a successful service learning experience•Plan a premier service learning experience

“As a result of service learning, I have seen positive changes in my students both inside of the classroom and out. Not only is this impact reflected in the quality of their work, but students have taken full ownership of the course content because they can see the direct impact that they can have on the community. Several have chosen to continue their work with the community organizations and are now helping to solve problems outside of the classroom.” - Josh Heinrich Instructional Design Instructor & Program Coordinator Gateway Community and Technical College

What is it?

What is it?

CIT 105- Introduction to Computers

What is it?

CIT 249- Java II

What is it?

NSG 230- Medical/Surgical Nursing III

What it isn’t

Outcomes

Sample Service learning outcomes: 1.Develop new civic knowledge and skills2.Challenge personal biases, prejudices, and stereotypes3.Develop new problem-solving skills4.Develop critical thinking skills5.Clarify career plans6.Communication skills7.Awareness of personal strengths and weaknesses

Best practicesAll service learning courses should be rigorous and challenging1.Academic credit is for learning, not service2.Do not compromise academic rigor3.Establish clearly-defined learning objectives

The experience should enhance student learning1.Establish criteria for the selection of service placements2.Provide educationally sound learning strategies to realice course learning objectives3.Prepare students for learning from the community4.Minimize the distinction between the students’ community learning role and the students’ classroom learning role

Teaching a service learning course offers new opportunities for faculty1.Rethink the faculty instructional role2.Be prepared for variation in and less control of student learning outcomes3.Maximize the community responsibility orientation of the course

Reflection

Effective reflection:1.Integrates the service learning experience with academic learning goals2.Occurs regularly throughout the course (before, during, and after experiences)3.Includes components that can be evaluated according to well-defined criteria4.Provides opportunities for both public and private reflection5.Fosters a deep sense of civic responsibility

Celebration

Celebration

President Hughes and Covington Mayor Carran CelebrateNSG 230 Students

Planning

Can you…•Define service learning?•Compare service learning to other kinds of experiential learning experiences?•Discuss service learning best practices?•Evaluate a service learning experience through reflection?•Celebrate a successful service learning experience?•Plan a premier service learning experience?

Q & A

Questions? Comments?

Keith Lanser, MAExperiential Learning Facilitator

Gateway Community and Technical College(859) 815-7783

Keith.lanser@kctcs.edu

Additional reading

Research on Service Learning:

•Clayton, Patti H., Robert G. Bringle, and Julie A. Hatcher. Research on Service Learning: Conceptual Frameworks and Assessment, Volume 2A and 2B. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing, 2013.

•Resources on Research in Service Learning and Civic Engagement

Service Learning Course Design

•Baratian, Marina, Donna Killian Duffy, Robert Franco, Amy Hendricks, and Tanya Renner. Service-Learning Course Design for Community Colleges. Providence, RI: Brown University, 2007.

•Heffernan, Kerrissa. Fundamentals of Service-Learning Course Construction. Boston, MA: Campus Compact, 2001.

Inspiration:

•Rogat-Loeb, Paul. Soul of a Citizen: Living with Conviction in Challenging Times. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1999.

•Coles, Robert. The Call of Service: A Witness to Idealism. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1993.