Improving Improving Service-Learning Service-Learning

Practice Practice Shelley H. Billig, Ph.D.Shelley H. Billig, Ph.D.

RMC Research Corporation, DenverRMC Research Corporation, Denver(800) 922-3636(800) 922-3636

billig@rmcdenver.combillig@rmcdenver.com

AgendaAgenda• Why Participate in Service-Learning?

– Quick Play: Top 10• Taking on the Critics• Service-Learning Impacts Nationally• Quality Counts• Designing Service-Learning: Toolkit• Ideas for Project Identification• Linking to Best Practice in Instruction• Ideas for Reflection • Wrapping Up Q and A

Quick Play:Quick Play:Getting to Know You MixerGetting to Know You Mixer

• Top 10 Reasons to Engage in Service-Learning

Taking on the CriticsTaking on the Critics• So why doesn’t everyone do service-

learning?• Complete the “taking on the critics”

handouts as a group.

Impacts of Service-Learning Impacts of Service-Learning on Youthon Youth

• Learning– Increased engagement in learning activities– Increased academic performance– Improved thinking skills

• Social-emotional– Better personal and social skills– Fewer risky behaviors

• Civic– Greater civic engagement– Stronger ties to the community and society leading to more

responsible behaviors– Increased or sustained ethic of service

• Careers– Increased knowledge of careers – Higher educational aspirations

Impacts on OthersImpacts on Others• Community

– Community needs are met– Adults view young people as resources instead of

problems– Communities have more “social capital” – connections

of youth to society– Fewer incidences of risky behaviors– Greater likelihood of having more volunteers when

needed in emergencies

• Democracy– Increased participation in democracy through voting

and issue understanding

Quality CountsQuality Counts1. Duration and Intensity2. Link to curriculum3. Cognitively challenging reflection4. Youth voice5. Respect for diversity6. Meaningful service7. Progress Monitoring8. Reciprocal partnerships

Designing Service-Learning: Designing Service-Learning: ToolkitToolkit

1. Assess community needs and resources.2. Form community partnerships.3. Set specific educational goals and link to

curriculum.4. Select a project.5. Plan project in detail.6. Acquire funding and resources.7. Implement and manage the project.8. Organize reflection activities.9. Assess and evaluate.10. Celebrate achievements.

Ideas for Project Ideas for Project IdentificationIdentification

• Needs to have youth voice;• Needs to be meaningful to those

involved;• Needs to be actionable and make a

difference in a relatively short period of time.

One Idea: Increasing Youth One Idea: Increasing Youth Voice in Planning: Quick PlayVoice in Planning: Quick Play

• If I had a million dollars….– Draw a circle.– Brainstorm…

• If I had a million dollars to spend to solve community problems, what would I do?

• Divide your paper plate like a pie chart and show how much you would spend on what.

Linking to Best Practice in Linking to Best Practice in InstructionInstruction

• Marzano Activity

• Cut up the Marzano best practice elements

• Match where you could address the SL components.

SL ArcSL Arc• Investigation• Planning• Action• Reflection• Demonstration• Celebration

Improving Cognitive Improving Cognitive Challenge: Quick PlayChallenge: Quick Play

• Taxonomy dice

Ideas for ReflectionIdeas for Reflection• Storyboards• Metaphors• Empathy v. sympathy• Sharing Ideas>>>>>

• Resource: Connecting Thinking and Action – www.servicelearning.org or www.rmcdenver.com

Wrapping UpWrapping Up

• Q and A.

• Thanks so much!!

• More resources at www.servicelearning.org; www.nylc.org; www.gotoservicelearning.org