Tennessee State University Service Learning and Civic Engagement

1. Tennessee State UniversityService Learningand Civic Engagement

2. What is Service-Learning and Why Is It Important??? Dr. Deena Sue Fuller Director of Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Tennessee State University

3. This country cannot afford to educate a generation that acquires knowledge without ever understanding how that knowledge can benefit society or how to influence democratic decision-making. (From The Campus Compact Presidents’ Declaration on the Civic Responsibility of Higher Education.)

4. What distinguishes service-learning from other forms of experiential education? Service-Learning involves a balance between learning goals and service outcomes.

5. SL is a Type of Experiential Education Community BENEFICIARY Student Service FOCUS Learning SERVICE-LEARNING COMMUNITY SERVICE FIELD EDUCATION VOLUNTEERISM PRACTICUM INTERNSHIP CLINICALS

6. What is Service-Learning??? • Service-Learning is a method of teaching that enriches learning by engaging students in meaningful service to their universities or communities through careful integration with established curricula.

7. Service-Learning Service-Learning is a teaching method which combines community service with academic instruction as it focuses on critical, reflective thinking and civic responsibility. Service-learning programs involve students in organized community service that addresses local needs, while developing their academic skills, sense of civic responsibility, and commitment to the community. (Campus Compact)

8. Look at the definitions and circle or highlight the words that are meaningful to you. Student Learning Meaningful Service

9. THIS is Service-Learning

10. National Commission on Service-Learning “…a teaching and learning approach that integrates community service with academic study to enrich learning, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities.”

11. Service-learning is a structured learning experience that combines community service with preparation and reflection. Students engaged in service-learning provide community service in response to community-identified concerns and learn about the context in which service is provided, the connection between their service and their academic coursework, and their roles as citizens.

12. Community service example If students remove trash from a streambed: they are providing a service to the community as volunteers

13. Service-learning example • When students, who are taking an environmental education course, remove trash from a streambed, • analyze what they found, • share the results and offer suggestions for the neighborhood to reduce pollution, • and then reflect on their experience and the impact of their service THAT is service-learning!

14. WHY SERVICE-LEARNING?? If effectively implemented…. Service-learning has many benefits for students, faculty, community members, and universities, alike.

15. STUDENT BENEFITS • Reported increased learning and motivation • Deeper understanding of subject matter and complex social issues • Ability to apply course material in “real life” situations • Opportunity to learn from classmates’ experiences • Opportunities for collaboration and leadership experiences • Teaches job skills and prepares students for careers after college • Promotes deeper learning; there are no "right answers" in the back of the book

16. COMMUNITY BENEFITS • Additional energy, enthusiasm, and resources for problem-solving • Improved relationship with university and access to university resources • Opportunity to recruit students as long term volunteers • Future staff potential

17. UNIVERSITY BENEFITS • Opportunity to be a model service-learning program for other universities • Improved student retention and school to work transition • Improved standing in the community • Demonstrate action for the public good

18. Service-Learninghelps students understand: • how communities function, • the kinds of problems they face, • the strength and richness of diversity, and • the importance of individual commitments of time and energy to enhancing community life.

19. Service-Learning • contributes to civic learning • encourages a sense of civic responsibility • reduces stereotypes • strengthens the ability to empathize with others • promotes a more democratic citizenry

20. Is service –learning the same as • Field Experiences? • Internships? • Co-ops? • Community Service? • Volunteerism? • internships

21. Service-learning is not: • An episodic volunteer program • An add-on to an existing school or college curriculum • Completing minimum service hours in order to graduate • Service assigned as a form of punishment • Only for high school or college students • One-sided: benefiting only students or only the community

22. Common characteristics of authentic service-learning • positive, meaningful and real to the participants • cooperative rather than competitive experiences; promotes teamwork and citizenship • addresses complex problems in complex settings rather than simplified problems in isolation • engages problem-solving in the specific context of service activities and community challenges, rather than generalized or abstract concepts from a textbook

23. The Seven Elements of High-Quality Service-learning 1.Integrated Learning- clearly articulated learning outcomes 2. High Quality Service- meet actual community need 3. Collaboration- all partners benefit and contribute 4. Student Voice- students actively plan & participate 5. Civic Responsibility- contribute to and impacts the community 6. Reflection- connect service & academic learning 7. Evaluation- measure learning & service goals

24. Civic Responsibility • - The service-learning project promotes students’ responsibility to care for others and to contribute to the community. • - By participating in the service-learning project, students understand how they can affect their community in positive ways. • Reflection • - Reflection establishes connections between students’ service experiences and the academic/developmental learning curriculum. • - Reflection occurs before, during, and after the service-learning project.

25. Learn more about service-learning • www.servicelearning.org • Campus Compact (compact.org) • www.tsuservicelearning.com • TN Campus Compact • Corporation for National and Community Service (cns.gov) • Campus-Community Partnerships for Health

26. Resources • Campus Compact (www.compact.org) • Sample syllabi in a wide variety of disciplines • Curriculum guides and publications • Professional development opportunities • Grants and awards

27. Service Learning Classes English Chemistry History Geography Music Honors Nursing Design Education Early Childhood Psychology Engineering Health Phys. Edu. Communications Dental Hygiene Occupational Therapy Speech Pathology Public Service & Urban Affairs Consumer Sciences

28. Consumer Sciences Arts & Sciences Institute of Government Engineering Business Service Learning Education Nursing Health Sciences Diversity of Service Learning Projects

29. Dental Screening & Cleaning Nursing Speech & Hearing Grace Eaton Daycare Health Education Physical Therapy Early Childhood Education Cross-DisciplinaryCollaborations

30. Literacy Programs Tutoring After-School Education Community Chorus Cross DisciplinaryEducation Programs Computer Skills Mentoring

31. Community Needs • Tutors • Mentors • Program development • Technology assistance • Advocacy • Training • Needs Assessments • Discipline-specific assistance