Human Ecology Part
II: Service-Learning
As a student
enrolled in Online Human Ecology, you will have the option of completing a
20-hour service/extended learning project with the Heartland Humane Society for one elective
credit (Pass/No Pass). Service-learning
combines academic learning and educational goals with student action in real
life situations outside the four walls of the classroom. You will be given
the opportunity to learn and develop through active participation in
thoughtfully organized service experiences that meet vital community needs. The
opportunities are coordinated by collaboration between the school and community
site. With a meaningful integration in the academic curriculum, it provides
structured time for you to think, talk, and write about what you experience
during the service activity. This in turn will allow you to see knowledge
acting upon real situations in your own community. This further enhances what is
taught in the classroom by extending learning beyond the school building.
Service-learning helps foster the development of a sense of caring for others,
hopefully resulting in a lifetime of community involvement and awareness.
Key elements of a service-learning
experience are:
Reciprocity: The service
and learning must be worthwhile and valuable for both the student and the
community
Reflection: Intentional,
systematic reflection about the experience must occur as it encourages
introspection of other aspects of a student’s life.
Integration: Service roles
must be directly related to the student’s academic learning in order to
strengthen critical thinking.
What is the difference between
volunteering, internships and service-learning?
Service-learning is distinguished
from other approaches to experiential education by its intention to equally
benefit the student and the organization that she/he is serving.
Service-learning focuses both on the service being offered and the learning that
is occurring through this process.
Contact Person
The volunteer coordinator for Heartland Humane Society:
Phone:
Email:
You will work with your contact to establish your schedule. If
your contact is expecting you at a certain time, be
prompt and ready to work. Call if you are unable to come in or if you
anticipate being late. Be mindful of your commitment – people are counting on
you. Your contact will be able to answer any questions you may have.
General
Guidelines
1. Be aware of your service
environment. Remember that you are a helper, a learner, and a visitor. The
organization with which you work has specific ways of interacting and getting
things done. Be aware of the culture and act appropriately. Have a clear
understanding of any rules you need to follow. Don’t assume you know how to do
things or know more than the people who are there everyday. Respect is the key.
2. Find out about the
organization’s history and mission. Visit Heartland's website (www.heartlandhumane.org).
The more you know about what the organization does and the clientele it serves
the more effective your efforts will be.
3. Know your contact person.
4. Be punctual, responsible and
professional. Although you are volunteering your time, everyone you work
with is relying on your commitment to completing your service project. Dress
and act in a ways consistent with the expectations of the organization. It is
important to remember that you are not only representing yourself in this
project, you are also representing the
5. Understand the need for
confidentiality. Remember that you may be dealing at times with sensitive
information that is not to leave the organization. If there is any question as
to whether you should share such information, do not. You should even use
pseudonyms if referring to the people you serve within your course assignments.
Getting Started
You will meet with the Service-Learning Coordinator at either CVHS or CHS for a brief orientation to the service learning component. The coordinator will provide you with all the necessary forms and answer any questions you may have. The coordinator will help you arrange for a volunteer orientation at Heartland Humane Society. Once this happens, you will schedule your 20 hour and begin!
Assessment of
Service-Learning Project
Human Ecology Online
Heartland Humane Society
Service Learning Project Assessment
Part I: Forms
A. Parent/Guardian Authorization (due before beginning project)
B. Transportation Form (due before beginning project)
C. Heartland Humane Society Volunteer Application (due before beginning project)*
D. Service Learner Activity & Contact/Time Log (due upon completion of project)
E. Student Performance Evaluation by Site Supervisor (due upon completion of project)
F. Student Checklist/Evaluation of Experience (due upon completion of project)
*This form is for the Heartland Volunteer Coordinator
Part II: On-Site
Complete a minimum of 20 hours on-site by end of term
Meet expectations of organization/supervisor (review website information above)
Part III: Reflections
A. Initial Individual Reflection (due upon completion of project)
Prior to the project, write about the people and/or organization you will be working with, the subject matter, and your feelings about the project. Write about what you hope to learn, any fears or concerns you have, and what you hope to contribute. Also before the first day of service write what you expect to experience (and for those of you going to Heartland, what you expect to hear, smell, see and touch).
B. Daily Reflections (written after each visit, all due upon completion of project)
C. Final Individual Reflection (due upon completion of project)
General Information Questions
Revisit your initial reflection and react to it.
What is service? Has your definition of service changed? Explain.
Should everyone do service?
Make a list of the skills used and learned on this project.
Did you work with the same people throughout your experience?
Did you work on the same tasks?
Discuss issues, experiences and observations that have come up for you during your service learning.
What do you feel you have contributed to your site?
What insights have you gained?
What problems did you have to work through?
Did you ever felt hopelessness, despair, discouragement or burnout related to your service? How have you dealt with this? Does reflection help?
What are some of the problems facing the world today? How does your service connect or address them?
How does your service connect to your life goals and aspirations?
Interpersonal Relations Questions
What did you learn about yourself that surprised you?
What did you learn about your peers that surprised you?
What did you learn about your community and the people in it that you did not know before?
Discuss your interpersonal relations and any incidents you found difficult to cope with and/or stimulating to think about.
Final Thoughts/Questions
What have been the best and worst parts of this project?
Summarize the most important things you will take with you from the experience.
Would you recommend this experience to others? Explain.