Service Learning and Social Work at Madonna University

1
Service Learning and Social Work at Madonna
University

• September, 2002
• Kevin West
• Madonna University

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Definition Service Learning is an

• instructional method that promotes student
  learning through active participation in
  thoughtfully organized community service
  experiences that
• are conducted in and meet the needs of a specific
  community,
• are coordinated with a community based
  organization,

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service experiences that

• foster civic learning/civic responsibility.
• Include structured time for reflection on the
  service experience and its relation to course
  content..
• enhance the students academic studies.

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You are the key to success

• You must draw the learning out of the service
  experience
• You have the responsibility of integrating and
  synthesizing book and service learning

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How do you ensure success?

• Three necessary criteria for academic service
  learning (Howard, 2001. S-L Course Design
  Workbook, p.12)
• relevant and meaningful service with the
  community
• enhanced academic learning
• purposeful civic learning

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S-L Principles of Good Practice, (Howard, p. 16)

• Students earns academic credit for learning, not
  for service.
• Instructors do not compromise academic rigor.
• Instructors establish learning objectives.
• Instructors establish criteria for the selection
  of service placements.
• Instructors provide educationally sound learning
  strategies to harvest community learning and
  realize course objectives.

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Principles of Good Practice...

• Be prepared to learn from the community (that is,
  from the situation and the people.)
• Rethink your role as student. Be an active
  learner.
• Be prepared for variation in the learning
  environment.
• Be open, attentive and humble.
• Work hard to connect your classroom, reading and
  service experiences.

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All Saints Neighborhood Center, 8300 Longworth,
Detroit.

• Contact Dennis Nordmoe, Director 313-841-4447/
  MU Liason Kevin West
• Project suggestions Oral histories an
  intergenerational learning project.
• Computer education and training for families,
  adults and youth.

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Alternatives for Girls, Michigan and Trumbull,
Detroit.

• Maureen Okasinski, Program Director.
  313-964-8331/ MU Liason Kevin West
• Possible projects AFG Newsletter. Computer
  workshops for young women.
• Other possibilities street outreach.
• Site most appropriate for those studying gender
  and poverty issues, basic, vocational and health
  education, group dynamics.

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St. Patricks Senior Center, Cass Avenue, Detroit.

• Contact Fran Dorn 831-2256/ MU Liasons Nancy
  OConnor, Debbie Dunn or Kevin West
• Possible project Oral histories with elderly
  that use Senior Center for services and meals.

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Environmental Health Projects

• Friends of the Rouge
• Contact Christina Bartoli Assoc. Director,
  Education program 313-792-9900./ MU Liason K.
  West
• Project Environmental education. College
  students are trained, then train K-12 students to
  assess water quality at sites along the Rouge
  River.
• Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision
• Contact Martha Gruelle 313-842-1961. /MU Liason
  K.West

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Some other possibilities...

• Simon House (shelter for women and children with
  HIV/AIDs.)
• Out-Wayne County Homeless Services Coalition.
• VIP Mentoring (one-on-one prevention program for
  truant youth.)
• National Coalition for Community and Justice
  (NCCJ)

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Be Proud!

• S-L is an ambitious and creative project!
• Students and faculty generally like the s-l
  experience (ask students and faculty whove done
  it!)
• For web info on S-L course design, try http//
  www.servicelearning.org/ or http//csf.colorado.ed
  u/sl/