Transcript of Experiences in Barry University’s Theology Courses Lessons Learned in Service-Learning.
- Slide 1
- Experiences in Barry Universitys Theology Courses Lessons
Learned in Service-Learning
- Slide 2
- What is Service-Learning? A teaching and learning strategy
Meaningful service + coursework + critical reflection Enrich the
learning experience Foster civic responsibility Strengthen
community
- Slide 3
- Service-Learning Methods: Learning Communities Learning
Community 1: Individual Choice Diverse choice of community
partnerships Generic reflection activities Broad array of
experiences to share Learning Community 2: Project One community
partner Deliverable: survey, art project, marketing material, etc.
Deeper understanding and relationship with partner Learning
Community 3: Theme Short list of partners centered around a theme
Different approaches to the theme Classroom materials, integration,
discussion
- Slide 4
- Service-Learning Methods: Classroom Integration Orientation Day
invite community partner representatives to the classroom Materials
documentaries, articles, chapters or whole books Reflections
Discussion: ABC (Affect, Behavior, Cognition) Writing Assignments:
final paper or series of reflection papers Social Analysis deep and
broad understanding of issues Journals documenting student
responses / reactions Presentations: group or individual on
connections between service and course content Community partners
have been invited in the past
- Slide 5
- What does it look like? Students completed 10 hours across the
opportunities provided per course and had to complete a final paper
integrating their experiences with classroom material. Courses
integrated additional material relevant to each theme, including: a
supplementary book, research and scholarly articles, and
documentaries. In class orientation and reflections were also
conducted. Theme:Gang Violence Theme: Sexuality Theme: Immigration
Partnership Opportunities: - Walking 1 Stop - Juvenile Detention
Mentoring - School-to-Prison Reading Program Partnership
Opportunities: - Human Trafficking Hotel Outreach - LGBTQ Safe
Space Accompaniment Partnership Opportunities: - Coalition of
Immokalee Workers - Citizenship Clinics - Immigration Detention
Center Visitation
- Slide 6
- Slide 7
- Hurdles to Overcome Timing Student and community partner
schedules Opportunities available during evenings, days, and
weekends Flexible community partner schedules Transportation
Separate lists of opportunities with and without transportation
provided Coordination with other campus offices (CCSI, CSI) Apathy
Service as another text for the course Service that is interesting,
unique, challenging Planning Opportunities, logistics, and
assignments should be set-up prior to the start of the course
- Slide 8
- Three Lessons Learned Thematic service-learning in two theology
courses at Barry: an Introductory Theology course and a Sexual
Ethics course Service Learning = Experiential Learning Lab Choose
themes that are integrally related to subject matter Intro: Gang
Violence Sexual Ethics: Sex Trafficking and Sexual Orientation Take
the Experiential Learning Out of the Ordinary Choose placement
sites that students usually cant access Intro: Walking One-Stops,
Juvenile Detention Center, Tutoring Sexual Ethics: South Beach and
Motel Outreach, Pridelines Center Dont Outsource Service-Learning
Continue to engage personally or professionally in
themes/sites