Service-Learning Project
Presented by Michelle Simpson Third Annual Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference23 October 2009
The Project
Proposal Plan Project Presentation Reflection
The Proposal
Community or organization Show need Show how project fills need
The Plan
Tasks and timeline Who was responsible
The Presentation
Description of project How needs were met Strengths and weaknesses
Pre-flection Activities
Define service-learning– The first thing that comes to mind when I think of
service learning is an unpaid, internship type of deal. Service learning differs from community service because it pertains more to academics rather than to personal gratitude. Although I have never participated in a service learning project, I am looking forward to the experience because I think it will be a great opportunity for personal enrichment.
Pre-flection Activities
One-question interview activity– Do you agree with the statement that “Helping
other people helps me?” Why or why not– If you wanted to personally raise $100 to give to a
particular charity or nonprofit, how would you do it?
Doyne, Shannon. “Help for the Helpers: Researching and Developing a Campaign to Aid a Local Charity.” The New York Times Learning Network, Daily Lesson Plan. 26 Nov. 2008. 23 Jan. 2009 <http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20081126wednesday.html>
Pre-flection Activities
Disclose expectations– I think the easy part will be putting the entire
project together. My group and I already have a lot of plans so hopefully that will help things go smoothly. I think one of the more difficult things will be communicating with any elderly members who might have disabilities. I think it also might be difficult getting everyone interested in participating in activities.
Pre-flection Activities
Obstacles and Pathways– More time
Reflection Activities
Develop “beautiful word clouds”
Reflection Activities
Reflection paper– On leadership: It was difficult to express my
feelings and why I thought I had made the correct decisions, but [it was] even more difficult to see the good in others’ decisions.
– I normally prefer to take orders and direction, not give them. This project showed me that I am capable of being in charge.
Reflection Activities
Reflection Paper– I do not want to always be shy in unfamiliar
situations, as I feel that can have a negative impact on jobs I may have in the future.
– I had to constantly remind myself of the environment I was in at that time. I found myself engaging in conversations with them as if their mental capacity was stable and had to redirect the conversation
Reflection Activities
Reflection paper– I learned how to better communicate with people
in a group and remain patient… – After each visit [to Fenwick Landing], I left there
feeling appreciated, grateful, and selfless…We served and learned.
Strengths
Met objectives Students were engaged Students were creative Students learned a lot about themselves
Challenges
Voting on projects to complete Writing instructions Grading
Future Service-Learning Projects
Ask students to research service population Be more specific in writing assignments Limit number of projects to two Make students more accountable for use of
communication skills
