Integrating Service-Learning in Teaching and Professional

Development

Integrating Service-Learning in Teaching and Professional

Development

Chris Fiorentino, DirectorJan & Bud Richter Center for

Community Engagement and Service-Learning

Chris Fiorentino, DirectorJan & Bud Richter Center for

Community Engagement and Service-Learning

What is Service-Learning?

What is Service-Learning?

Service-learning is a teaching and learning method where students learn by active participation in organized service that addresses community needs and is linked to academic study through structured reflection.

The community needs may include direct service to people in need, improvement of community resources, applied research, community outreach and education, or policy analysis and advocacy.

The academic study may be in any discipline or combination of fields.

Service-learning is a teaching and learning method where students learn by active participation in organized service that addresses community needs and is linked to academic study through structured reflection.

The community needs may include direct service to people in need, improvement of community resources, applied research, community outreach and education, or policy analysis and advocacy.

The academic study may be in any discipline or combination of fields.

Substantial research exists documenting the power of service-learning to positively impact students, faculty, and the community served.

Substantial research exists documenting the power of service-learning to positively impact students, faculty, and the community served.

Student Personal Development

Student Personal Development

Service-learning has been shown to: Increase sense of personal efficacy

Contribute to personal identity Impact moral development Improve leadership skills Effect communication abilities

Service-learning has been shown to: Increase sense of personal efficacy

Contribute to personal identity Impact moral development Improve leadership skills Effect communication abilities

Student Social Outcomes

Student Social Outcomes

Service-learning has been shown to: Reduce stereotypes Improve racial understanding Increase sense of social responsibility and citizenship skills

Heighten commitment to service Increase involvement in volunteerism after graduation

Service-learning has been shown to: Reduce stereotypes Improve racial understanding Increase sense of social responsibility and citizenship skills

Heighten commitment to service Increase involvement in volunteerism after graduation

Impact on Student Learning

Impact on Student Learning

Service-learning has been shown to: Positively impact academic learning

Accentuate ability to apply what is learned to “real world” settings

Improve demonstrated complexity of understanding, critical thinking and cognitive development

Service-learning has been shown to: Positively impact academic learning

Accentuate ability to apply what is learned to “real world” settings

Improve demonstrated complexity of understanding, critical thinking and cognitive development

Student Career Development

Student Career Development

Service-learning has been shown to contribute to the many phases of students’ career development, including career identification, developing professional networks, enhancing resume and improved ratings of career satisfaction

Service-learning has been shown to contribute to the many phases of students’ career development, including career identification, developing professional networks, enhancing resume and improved ratings of career satisfaction

Relationship with Institution

Relationship with Institution

Service-learning has been shown to:

Improve student satisfaction with the college experience

Raise graduation rates of students involved (IRAP/OIE Study)

Increase the likelihood that students will contribute financially to their alma mater after graduation

Service-learning has been shown to:

Improve student satisfaction with the college experience

Raise graduation rates of students involved (IRAP/OIE Study)

Increase the likelihood that students will contribute financially to their alma mater after graduation

Faculty BenefitsFaculty BenefitsFaculty who utilize service-learning report:

Satisfaction with quality of student learning

Commitment to research Increased propensity to integrate service-learning into other classes

The downside….

Faculty who utilize service-learning report:

Satisfaction with quality of student learning

Commitment to research Increased propensity to integrate service-learning into other classes

The downside….

Community BenefitsCommunity Benefits Community partners report that their involvement with Fresno State community service-learning efforts:

Improved capacity to serve clients Provide benefits that outweigh the cost Outcomes exceed initial expectations Overall agencies were extremely pleased with services provided by students

Community partners report that their involvement with Fresno State community service-learning efforts:

Improved capacity to serve clients Provide benefits that outweigh the cost Outcomes exceed initial expectations Overall agencies were extremely pleased with services provided by students

The Transformative Power of SL

The Transformative Power of SL

Why Reflection? Why Reflection?

Without reflection, service-learning has little merit as an instructional tool.

It is through the process of structuring and guiding a student’s reflective process where teachers can help students extract lessons from their community experiences.

Reflection is generally considered to be the most critical step in linking the service & learning components of a service-learning course.

Without reflection, service-learning has little merit as an instructional tool.

It is through the process of structuring and guiding a student’s reflective process where teachers can help students extract lessons from their community experiences.

Reflection is generally considered to be the most critical step in linking the service & learning components of a service-learning course.

Reflection: The essential ingredient

Reflection: The essential ingredient

Setting the Stage & Providing Feedback

Setting the Stage & Providing Feedback

Providing for Gender Balance

What about Service-Learning & RTP?

What about Service-Learning & RTP?

Gelmon & Agre-Kippenhan Article

Jendian “By the Numbers” Document

Gelmon & Agre-Kippenhan Article

Jendian “By the Numbers” Document

Service-Learning Assistance

Service-Learning Assistance

Jan & Bud Richter Center (www.csufresno.edu/cesl)

Faculty Service-Learning Modules (www.csufresno.edu/facultysl)

Workshops and Seminars Faculty Service-Learning Mentor Community Partnerships Coordinator

Jan & Bud Richter Center (www.csufresno.edu/cesl)

Faculty Service-Learning Modules (www.csufresno.edu/facultysl)

Workshops and Seminars Faculty Service-Learning Mentor Community Partnerships Coordinator