Service-Learning Coordinator AmeriCorps*VISTA Member Truman State University

Service-Learning CoordinatorAmeriCorps*VISTA Member

Truman State University

What is Service-Learning?

A teaching methodology that utilizes community service to help students gain a deeper understanding of course content, acquire new knowledge and engage in civic activity

SERVICE

LEARNING

A Mutually Beneficial Relationship

SERVICE

LEARNING

Students use information and skills gained in the classroom or as part of a student organization

To complete a sustainable service project For a non-profit or government agency that may not be able to complete the project on their own (limited time, resources, and/or skills)

Students in return learn practical and transformative skills by reflecting on the experience

An Example

SERVICE

LEARNING

Students in a web design course are learning how to create and manage web pages (add information, graphics, menus, etc.)

As a class project, they must create a web page for a local non-profit organization

The non-profit has minimal web experience, but would really benefit from a functional web page

The students learn Practical Skills: Communication skills by working closely with the

non-profit and explaining to the employees how to update, change, and use the website

The students learn Transformative Skills: More information about the purpose of the non-

profit organization and people they serve Why service is an important lifetime commitment

Service-Learning Advantage

Co-Curricular Happens outside of the classroom Completed by individuals and student

organizations Helps students:

Plan, document, and evaluate their projects Receive recognition for their service Have educational experiences outside of the

classroom

Why Service-Learning?

Passive vs. Active Learning Passive: Receive, Memorize, and Generate

Information Example: Studying for a test

Active: Receive and Apply Information; Evaluate the Experience

Example: Implementing and operating a soup kitchen

VS.

Key Components of Service-Learning

Community Partners Active relationship with a non-profit or

government agency Learning Objectives

A significant and clear connection between the service projects and the class/organization

Reflection Time to consider what was learned from the

experience (diversity, civic engagement, social issues, personal development, etc.)

Benefits of Service-Learning: Groups, Organizations, and Classes

Engages students: In the Kirksville community and this new endeavor created

by the University In active learning that enhances their educational

experience Makes organizations:

More competitive for future funding (grants) and awards More competitive on the organization’s national level

Provides support from the S-L Coordinator: Organizational, Conceptual, Monetary Connections with community agencies Time for structured reflection

Benefits of Service-Learning: Academic Enhancement

Useful and transferable skills Organization: From planning and implementing

the project Communication: From working with the

community partners to meet their needs Among many others

“Communication and organization were the skills that were most improved. Never before have I had to stay this organized and in contact with so many

people. This service-learning experience has been the most beneficial experience at TSU in my 8 semesters. It gave me insight to the benefits of

developing community projects, as well as what it’s like to lead people.”

Benefits of Service-Learning: Academic Enhancement

These skills are important in any academic discipline or future career An important experience for a resume Many employers and graduate schools require

students to have experience in their field

“This service-learning experience directly relates to my academic program of study, because any opportunity to practice Spanish is a growth experience.

More specifically I’m taking an introductory translation/interpretation class. It helped me to have on-site experience. It put all the challenges that we’ve read

and learned about in this class into a new light. I have learned more in this service-learning experience than I have in the class.”

Benefits of Service-Learning: Civic Engagement

Service-Related Skills Opportunity to connect with and improve the

Kirksville community Increased awareness of local social issues Commitment to service in the future

“As a result of my participation in [Service-Learning], I have definitely decided that I want to create my own project that can positively contribute to

Kirksville’s community and be sustained long after I leave. It was inspiring to see students close to my age make such a tangible impact on the community

in which they live.”

Benefits of Service-Learning: Personal Growth

Students may develop enhanced skills Critical thinking and problem solving Empathy, personal values, awareness, self-

esteem, social responsibility, etc.

“I did learn a lot from teaching in a classroom, but apparently not as much as I did planning this. It was actually sad that I had never planned anything this

big before, because I feel like I can go through life a lot better now that I have been through this.…There were a couple of times where communication fell

through, but I learned how to better communicate my ideas and it really helped me with getting things together for this summer and for my upcoming

internship.”

How to Get Involved

Contact the Service-Learning Coordinator The S-L Coordinator will assist you throughout

this entire process Create and implement the service project

Establish a community partner and learning objectives

Complete the project Complete all the necessary documentation

Implement the proper reflection activity

Contact Information

Email vistamember@truman.edu

Phone 660-785-7753

Office The Center for Teaching and Learning Pickler Memorial Library, Room 204C