Introduction to Service-Learning

Learning Outcomes

The Civic Engagement VALUE ribrics, as developed by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, serve as the basis of the learning outcomes for Service-Learning projects.

If you wish, you may click HERE to download the American Association of Colleges and Universities VALUE rubric on Civic Engagement

Steps in the Process

Through the class schedule you are going to engage in a number of graded and ungraded activities that will lead you through the process of developing a quality service-learning project. These steps are outlined in the Course Navigator. Descriptions of each step are also included as links in this secion of the course.

The steps in the Research Project process are:

1. Locate an Organization to Volunteer with or Design your own Service Project
2. Complete the SL Proposal Quiz
3. Complete your Hours (in here you will find a link to the Time Log and Supervisor Evaluation forms you need to complete to document your service.)
4. Complete your SL Application / Reflection Paper
5. Complete the SL Experience Summary Survey (online) and submit completed SL Time Log and SL Supervisor Evaluation forms to the Center for Civic Engagement

Scroll down to see specific information related to each of these steps

Step 1: Locate an Organization or design your own service project

You need to document 10 hours of service in the community during the semester in which you are taking this course. The easiest way to do this is to locate an organization that already uses volunteers.

Nearly everything you can think of is probably good:

• Civic Organizations
• Political organizations
• Health Advocacy (like the Lung Association, American Cancer Society, etc.)
• Fund Raisers (schools, clubs, organizations)
• Civic Involvement (school boards, town boards, running for office)
• Church (teaching Sunday School, community work, etc.)
• Coaching
• Teaching Classes

Many people decide to work for an existing organization, or you may already do volunteer work for an organization (churches, youth organizations, youth sports, all the Fraternal oganizations---Jaycees, Kiwanas, Knights of Columbus, Elks, etc.)

You can also design your own service project...tired of sitting on the couch saying that "someone should do something about...". Well, get off the couch and be the "someone"!!

It is easier to talk about what you can't do:

• You cannot do one-on-one personal care
• You cannot do work for a family member
• You cannot do work that would otherwise go to a paid employee

The KVCC Center for Civic Engagement maintains a website where opportunities are advertised. Check the graphic to visit the website!

Step 2: Complete the SL Proposal Quiz

Locate the "SL Proposal Quiz" in your course.

Answer the following questions about your proposed SL project. This quiz will remain open indefinitely so you can update it as changes happen. Each time I grade it I will leave comments. You must score a 100 on this quiz in order to have an "approved" SL project. You can take it as many times as you like.

Step 3: Complete your Hours and Documentation

Volunteer at the site for at least 10 hours (though you instructor may require you to do a different number of hours). Keep a journal of your observations and experiences. Bring up this material in the class so we can all share in your experience.

Step 4: Complete your SL Application / Reflection Paper

You will need to write a paper for this project following the rubric below. Be sure to review the section in the Start Here pages regarding using the Drop Box to submit assignments.

Service-Learning Application/Reflection Paper

The point of this paper is to get you to reflect upon your service and relate topics from class to your experiences. As you are engaged in your service project you encounter people and events that demonstrate and exemplify topics you are learning about in class. For example: if you were serving at a day care you may encounter issues such as: gender differences in play, behavior management, leadership style, learning styles, play behavior, etc. etc.

Take note of these experiences and use them to complete aspects of the papers listed below.

Use the rubric below as a guide to writing your paper. You are encouraged to organize your paper into sections that cover each aspect of the grading rubric, but be mindful that within each section, your writing needs to be in narrative format.

Your paper should be 3-6 pages long. Include a title page (not included in the page count). Make sure that the title page and the paper itself are the SAME DOCUMENT...do not send two separate files.

SL Application/Reflection Paper Rubric

Step 5: Complete your SL Paperwork and Survey

Have your site supervisor complete the SL Supervisor Evaluation form

Complete your SL Time Log throughout your service experience in order to document your hours and maintain a Journal about your experiences that you can use when you write your paper

This time log must be completed and signed by your site supervisor and submitted to Mark Kavanaugh (or whoever your instructor tells you to submit it to) in paper form...not electronically, at the end of the project.

Please forward your Time Log and Supervisor Evaluation to the Director for the Center for Civic Engagement, Mark Kavanaugh.

Mark Kavanaugh's office is 306 Carter Hall

Mailed documents can be sent to:

Mark Kavanaugh
Center for Civic Engagement
Kennebec Valley Community College
92 Western Ave.
Fairfield, ME 04937

You can also fax documents to: 207-453-5010

DO NOT scan and email these documents...they must be in printed format

When you are completely done your project, please complete the ONLINE SL Experience Summary Survey