Mission Possible

Agents of Change Through Service-Learning

What is service-learning?

• SL helps you apply YOUR knowledge and skills…

• To a REAL problem in your school or community.– Checking out a problem.– Preparing a plan of action.– Rolling up your sleeves and doing.– Keeping a record/journal.– Figuring out what it all means.

Community Service V.S.

Service-LearningCommunity Service• NO…

– Youth involvement– Needs identification– Brainstorming– Planning– Links to learning– Orientation– Some meaning– Observation– Evaluation– Isolated celebration

Service-Learning• Yes…

– Youth selected project– Community involvement– Needs identified– Plan of Action– Learning links made to

curricula– Pre-service orientation– Criteria for meaningful

service– Observations made – New understanding

gained– Celebrated by all

The SL Cycle

Identifying a Genuine Need

Planning & Preparation

Meaningful Service

ExperienceObservation

Problem Solving

Evaluation:New Understanding

Celebration

Student & Community Ownership

New Application

Your Mission…

– SELECT a problem– RESEARCH the problem– DESIGN an Action Plan– DO the planned project– EVALUATE the results– CELEBRATE your success!

• Should you decide to accept it…

Youth Voice & Choice

• Select the project focus• Provide leadership by:

– Taking initiative– Identifying needs– Making decisions– Collaborating with community

representatives– Developing partnerships– Exercising “reciprocity”

Needs assessment

• Identify NEEDS based on what you know now.• INVESTIGATE further through collaborations. • Develop CRITERIA to narrow your focus.• PRIORITIZE according to criteria.• SHARE results.

Investigate How?

• Surveys

• Interviews

• Observation

• Research

• Community Mapping

• Meetings/Forum

Committees

• DEVELOP committees to investigate needs.

• ELECT a chairperson of each committee.

• CHOOSE a committee based on your…– Knowledge– Skills– Resources– Personal Interests

Your blueprint

• Set goals: – What do you want people to come away with at the end? – How will people benefit?

• Map out plans: – What will be taught?– What will you do?– How do you want to present it?

• Clarify partnerships: – Who do you want to participate with you? – What do you want them to do?

• Gather Resources: – What do you need to carry out your plans? – Guest speakers?

Pre-service Reflection

• What has changed?– Beliefs– Assumptions– Attitudes

• Where and when did they change?

• What might you have done differently?

• What do you think will happen next?

Meaningful Service

• Follow your blueprint.

• Collaborate with partners.

• Work together for success.

• Be flexible:– Action allows ideas to become

real.– Unexpected outcomes may

occur.

Observation

• What is happening?– Reactions– Comments– Attitudes– Behaviors– Responses

Problem-Solving

• How well did the plan work?– Barriers?– Limitations?– Organization?– Teamwork?

• Who could help?

• Have new needs been identified?

• What improvements are necessary?

Mid-Service Reflection

• Share…– Discussions– Presentations– News articles– Photographs

• Keep a journal:– What happened?– How was it special?– How did you feel?– Any new ideas?– Questions? – How did you make a difference?

Evaluation

• Assess the experience:– What was learned?– What impact was made?– Who received benefits?

• What was successful? Unsuccessful?

• How effective was the project plan?– What would you do differently?– How could it be enhanced?

Celebration

• Recognize achievement…– “Thank you” letter or gift– Ceremony– Field trip – Award – Prize– Party– FUN!

Post-service Reflection

• What did YOU learn?– About yourself?– Working with others?– About your community?

• How will this project:– Influence your life or future– Develop a sense of community– Clarify needs or issues– Improve observation and analysis– Increase an appreciation of others– Deepen knowledge and understanding

This slide show will self-destruct in 5 seconds…

• Prepared by:• Karol Osborne• Extension Agent – 4-H• Madison Parish

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