Service Learning: Partnering with our Students

in their Civic Engagement in All Areas of Study

Dr. Mara KaufmannDr. Mary Guadrón

Center for Distance Learning

Empire State College Redefines Service Learning (SL)

Agenda

Reflection …….

Higher Education Definitions

One School Districts Implementation

Empire State College

Reflection…..

What comes to mind when you hear the words or think of the concept Service Learning?

Higher Education Definition….

University of Colorado

“Service learning courses attempt to help students understand the world through changing it and vice-versa.

They seek not just to recruit students to work in soup kitchens but to ask and begin to answer the larger questions of why there is hunger in our society.” (University of Colorado, Service Learning Office)

(Service Learning Project: Homelessness Youtube Video)

Higher Education Definition…. Miami Dade College (MDC) SL

MDC students, as future leaders of our community, deserve a real world education that inspires social responsibility and encourages compassion for all

MDC should be a responsible, engaged member of the local community

Academic learning is strengthened by engaging in meaningful service and reflection

Education at MDC should be transformative; creating ethical and responsible community participants

All partners in the service-learning process should be engaged in teaching and learning, serving and being served

(Youtube on Miami Dade College)

“As educators we are aware that traditional approaches to education may not be equitable for all of our students.

As educators we are also aware that to narrow the racial, cultural, and economic achievement gaps requires nontraditional, research-based approaches to teaching and learning.

Service Learning provides authentic opportunities for all students to be actively engaged in the learning process where their experiences with race, language or income can be assets not deficits.”

Service Learning Project, AnokaVHennepin Counties, Minnesota

One School Districts Implementation…Service Learning Project, AnokaVHennepin Counties, Minnesota

Empire State College….

…our approach is one of partnering with our students in the creation of their degree plan, in consideration of prior learning, learning styles and lifestyles.

….the incorporation of academic and scholarly studies with civic engagement/volunteer initiatives into a wide variety of learning opportunities is another uniquely student centered approach and

(Service Learning) is in keeping with the Empire State College 2015 Vision.

Empire State College Vision 2015

The college, as the premier institution for adult learning within SUNY and across the nation:

• supports learners as active partners in their education;• transcends the boundaries of time, place and ways of learning;• integrates and engages learners with their past, present and future creative and intellectual lives;

Empire State College Vision 2015…Continued

• creates and supports cooperative initiatives among all segments of the population to foster respect, civility and a welcoming environment; and

• supports the social, cultural and economic development and sustainability of both its learners and their communities.

(The Report of the Vision 2015 Task Force, 2009, p. 1)

Are Students providing service now?

Where are they already volunteering in their communities and across the world?

What initiatives in their work settings are they interested in taking the lead?

What interests, passions, sports and hobbies do they have to share in service to others?

What family involvements with the community do they have which provide service?

Mentors are the key!

History Public History, Historical Preservation

Helen Martin -Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Community Human Service Community Organizing

Altes Award winner Dr. Joyce McKnight

Nursing Service Learning Project/Clinical Leadership Development Portfolio

How would you envision integrating service learning into learning opportunities?

Brainstorming…….

SL Our Redefinition…..

Individual Student Centered Service Learning, f2f or online wherever they are in New York, in the U.S. and Globally.

Existing Learning Opportunities expanded to include service learning component.

Create New Learning Opportunities designed to combine scholarship, multiple intelligences, experiential and project based learning.

National and State Support for Service Learning

Learn and Serve America (Corporation for National and Community Service)

Senator Edward Kennedy The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America

Act (April 21, 2009) President Barack Obama New York Report

SUNY

(http://www.learnandserve.gov/ )

References

Cortes, J., Orellana, W. & Tamillow, L. (2008) Service Learning Project: Homelessness. For Bay Area Rescue Mission, California. Retrieved May 1, 2009 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?tv=xhE6R5gYFqg Empire State College. (2009) Vision 2015: The Report of the Vision 2015 Task Force. Retrieved October 18, 2009 from http://www.esc.edu/  Learn and Serve America, Corporation for National and Community Service. (2009) Retrieved October 20, 2009 from http://www.learnandserve.org/  Miami-Dade College. (2009, October 20). Center for Community Involvement Service Learning, Overview. Retrieved October 18, 2009, from http://mdc.edu/cci/  Service Learning Project. (2008) J. Cameron and Associates, Production on the AnokaVHennepin Counties, Minnesota School District. Retrieved May 1, 2009 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?tv=gEUquFud-b8 Service Learning Project. (2008) Miami-Dade College Center for Community Involvement Service-Learning. Retrieved May 1, 2009 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCQODGzqfdc University of Colorado. (2009, May 1). Office of Service learning, Mission. Retrieved October 18, 2009, from http://servicelearning.colorado.edu