Inclusive Service Learning Barbara Wheeler, Ph.D. and Emily Palmer, B.S. Peer Partnership Project, USC UAP Agatha Metichecchia, M.A. LRE Coordinator, LAUSD Div.
Download ReportTranscript Inclusive Service Learning Barbara Wheeler, Ph.D. and Emily Palmer, B.S. Peer Partnership Project, USC UAP Agatha Metichecchia, M.A. LRE Coordinator, LAUSD Div.
Inclusive Service Learning
Barbara Wheeler, Ph.D. and Emily Palmer, B.S.
Peer Partnership Project, USC UAP
Agatha Metichecchia, M.A.
LRE Coordinator, LAUSD Div. of Spec. Ed.
What is Service Learning?
Service learning is a method to help students meet
content standards
Service learning
teaches civic responsibility
and
social consciousness
Service learning
combines service objectives with learning objectives
Service learning is
built on teamwork National Service Learning Clearinghouse
History of Service Learning “Reflective thought is an active response to the challenge of the environment” (Smith, 83).
Individuals learn best when they participate “in the formation of the purpose activities” (Nicholls, 95).
that governs their All individuals can contribute to knowledge. The fundamental purpose improve human welfare . of knowledge is to
Francis Bacon, Benjamin Franklin, John Dewey
History of Service Learning Intelligence develops as a result of
reflective action and experience
Children should be able to
shape their own learning
help form their curriculum
reflect on the value of what is being learned Francis Bacon, Benjamin Franklin, John Dewey
Education should Encourage
active participation in the community
Develop
real-world problem solving
skills Teach children to become
responsible citizens John Dewey, 1900s
Service Learning Today John Dewey’s ideas are reflected in
servicing learning
in America’s classrooms Where
academic standards and active citizenship intersect
Service learning is a method that can be used by an educator to teach
any subject
Federal and State Support
Corporation for National and Community Service
Americorps Learn and Serve America Cal Serve Senior Corps
Service Learning is A form of directed,
experiential
learning that involves students in
defining their own curriculum
, and using creative
problem solving
skills to
address chosen community issues
A community may be a school the neighborhood surrounding a school a river, mountain range, the ocean a shopping mall a city or county a prison, transportation system, a park
Who benefits from service learning?
The Community benefits from a
thoughtful, well-executed plan
Students learn
about themselves
how to work in
teams
how to
apply knowledge
school learned in they can make a difference; they can begin
to solve real-life problems
Everybody benefits!
Basic Steps of Service Learning Identify a problem of importance Identify possible reasons/causes problem of the Develop and implement a plan of action to resolve the problem Evaluate and monitor the plan the progress of Revise plan based on discoveries and findings
Basic Steps of Service Learning Identify goals and constraints; Consider risks Generate alternatives, evaluate and choose the best alternative Organize ideas Communicate them orally to your team and to other audiences
Skills Needed and Learned Finding out what is important to you: Self-determination Finding, understanding, and interpreting written information in documents: Investigation skills Finding and interpreting information from “experts” and “stakeholders”: Investigation skills
Key Elements of Service Learning Student Voice: Communication Skills Coming up with solutions to problems through research and reflection: Problem Solving Skills Finding and interviewing informants: Building Ties to the community Asserting themselves in familiar and unfamiliar situations: Self-Advocacy
Key Elements of Service Learning Working effectively in groups Communicating effectively, to persuade and influence others , using all modalities, visual, auditory, olfactory, etc.
Presenting your ideas effectively
Key Elements of Service Learning Self- Reflection Think and reflect, Plan Think and reflect, Act Think and reflect, Modify
Is service learning the same as community service?
NO !
Service Learning Meets Content Standards Content Standards reflect “ what students need to know and be able to do when they graduate ”
Kellogg “Learning in Deed” Initiative Study groups in 5 states: California Maine South Carolina Minnesota Oregon
Kellogg Learning in Deed Initiative Regional Lead for LA county has been selected to facilitate the study group “Linking Service Learning and Standards” LA County: Michele Herczog www.lacoe.edu
Service Learning Meets Content Standards
Literacy: Read Books about Homelessness Math: Collect, count, and sort canned food for Homeless Shelter Health: Learn about the nutritional value of various foods History: Learn about the history of homelessness in U.S.
Helping the Homeless Sciences: Learn the various diseases that plague homeless Civics: Examine government policy toward treatment of homeless Performing Arts: Perform skits to teach others about homelessness Art: Design posters for canned food drive for homeless
Service Learning and Student Outcomes Better language and reading Better test scores Better grades Homework completion improves Less likely to drop-out More involved in school
Service Learning Outcomes: Fosters Civic Responsibility Delivering Toys and Books Mehgan, Karli, Lori, and Karen deliver the toys and books collected to Children’s Hospice of Lexington
Service Learning Outcomes: Performance Assessment •Service learning fosters measurement of what students understand, are capable of doing , and how students think and learn •The Showcase— an alternative to performance assessment
Service Learning Outcomes: Self-determination, Student-driven learning, Personal accountability Offers them control Offers an opportunity to actively participate in what they learn Helps them be more personally accountable for their education Gives them authority for what and how they learn Leads to increase motivation and participation.
Inclusive Service Learning: Where are we?
Not many models
for including students with IEPs in service learning unless they are fully included or RSP
Teachers/school personnel don’t know how to do inclusion in general
, let alone with respect to service learning
Parents don’t know about service learning
and how to ask for it in their child’s IEP/ITP