Learning Through Service

Learning Through Service Inspiring Civic Responsibility Promoting Creative Learning By Stephanos Gialamas, PhD. & Ellen Froustis-Vriniotis, MeD.

Lecture Reading Audio-Visual Demonstration Discussion Group Practice By Doing Teach Others / Immediate Use of Learning

What is service Learning?

â€œâ€Ś.a teaching and learning approach that integrates community service with academic study to enrich learning, teach civic responsibility and strengthen communities.â€?

U.S. National Commission on Service Learning

SERVICE LEARNING CONSISTS OF‌..

Community Needs and Challenges

PROJECT

Specific Curriculum Content

Service Learning is more than…  volunteer work  a school course  a measure of hours of involvement  a form of punishment  limited to high school and college students  beneficial only for the provider or the recipient, but to BOTH.

Service Learning…….. is a philosophical approach to teaching and learning that:  integrates clear curriculum objectives with project goals.  enhances content specific and related learning.  fosters civic responsibility outcomes.  promotes learning through active participation.

Service Learning also…… engages students in creative projects to address complex community issues. benefits both the provider and the recipient. inspires social and personal responsibility.

The road to Service Learning at ACS Athens through Community Service

COMMUNITY SERVICE • Ninth graders go on a fieldtrip to clean a beach on “World Environment Day”.

SERVICE LEARNING Ninth graders go on a fieldtrip to clean a beach on “World Environment Day” but, they also…..

• study environmental pollutants and teach middle school students in a rural village how to keep their environment clean.

• set up a science lab with microscopes and water testing kits and teach the students how to test the quality of the water in the area.

• share findings with the local school and community.

• connect with a civic minded multinational company and create a road sign that reminds the local folk and tourists to keep their environment clean.

• Together, they all clean up the beach and celebrate World Environment Day.

• reflect on the meaning of their experience in the form of a journal entry or essay.

Characteristics of Effective Service Learning Projects  Includes specific learning objectives (scientific knowledge, public speaking skills, decision-making skills)  Contains meaningful experience for recipient and the provider  Correlates classroom learning with real life experiences via critical thinking.  Relies on creative problem solving that is specific to community needs and challenges.

Characteristics of Effective Service Learning Projects ď ąEngages students in collaborative vs. competitive work, building skills, teamwork and citizenship. ď ąChallenges student perceptions, attitudes and values. ď ąDevelops social, emotional and cognitive competencies.

Service Learning General Outcomes Student Benefits

Civic Responsibility Outcomes Develop accountability, Responsibility, Autonomy

Identify content, Design, Plan and implement service learning project

Establish meaningful bonds with the Community ( i.e. elderly, children, environment, homeless)

Guided Reflection

Service Learning Content Specific Outcomes Student Learning via Active Learning •Connections to curriculum help students to meet identified learning objectives

ACADEMIC OUTCOMES (i.e. higher test scores, academic performance)

•Increase knowledge & skills •Explores career opportunities

CAREER RELATED OUTCOMES (i.e. new interests, realistic expectations)

Personal Aspect of Service Learning • help students to develop a higher level of self – esteem, self worth and efficacy while • building integrity and ethos • teaching modesty and humility • nurturing empathy and acceptance for others • fostering a deep sense of civic responsibility for the well being of their community.

CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS SUBJECTS

COMMUNITY NEEDS

Economics

Decrease Pollution

•Economics of repairing damage to environment.

•Efforts of gov’t

Math

Recycling Program

•Computing costs of operating a recycling program

Science

Awareness

•Environmental Pollutants

Social Studies

PROJECT

Proposed Format for Service Learning Project Part A • •

Title of Project: Grade:

• • • • •

Description of Project: Identify Curriculum Related Content: Identify Academic Learning Objectives: Identify Civic Responsibility Objectives: Define Measurable Outcomes:

(Gialamas & Vriniotis, 2006)

Proposed Format for Service Learning Project Part B • • • • • •

Target Group Within Community: Location: Activities: Methodology: Resources Needed: Budget: (Gialamas & Vriniotis, 2006)

Proposed Format for Service Learning Project Part C • Reflection & Evaluation: • Follow-Up Project: (Gialamas & Vriniotis, 2006)

SERVICE LEARNING PRAXIS • 1)PREPARATION: Choose curriculum content, identify learning & civic objectives, research and explore viable solutions for real community need • 2)ORGANIZATION: school-based; community- based • 3) EXPERIENCE : Share results w/school & community.

• 4) REFLECTION: Guided learning inquiry.

• 5) CELEBRATION: Honor student efforts!!!!!

The Role of Academic Leadership in Inspiring others to Learn through Service • “Establishing a school culture to value creativity in learning and problem-solving with the ability to profoundly impact the local community, begins with a personal leadership identity that radiates enthusiasm, ethos, empathy and a commitment to civic responsibility.”

Gialamas & Vriniotis , 2006

Role of the Academic Leader • Motivates members of the academic institution to undertake service learning projects by role modeling • Stresses the importance of “PROMPT” Projects– Precise, Relevant, Organized, Measurable and Time efficient • Links potential community partners with project goal.

• Provides faculty w/necessary resources .

• Provides support (i.e. release time, admin. approval) • Participates & celebrates with students !!!!!!!!!

We Believe‌.

An academic institution has the responsibility to provide students with a school culture and environment where they can excel academically, socially and ethically to live and thrive as healthy, responsible members of their community.

Education is the road to excellence.

Service Learning can be the means to achieve it.

(Adapted from the ACS Athens Mission Statement, 2007)

SERVICE LEARNING PARTNERS

STUDENTS

TEACHERS

INSTITUTIONAL LEADER

ADMINISTRATORS

References • ACS Athens Mission Statement, 2006 • Billig, Shelley H. (2000). Research on K-12 School-Based Service Learning: The Evidence Builds”, Phi Delta Kappan, May Issue.

• Gialamas & Vriniotis(2006). Academic Leadership: Inspired by Civic Responsibility-A Practitioner’s Point of View. Submitted for publication to Academic Leadership Journal.

• Alliance for Service Learning In Education Reform (1995).

Standards of Quality for School Based & Community Based Service Learning. Close Up Foundation: Alexandria VA. • National Service Learning Clearing House. What is Service Learning? Ppt., 2004 • National Training Laboratories, The Learning Pyramid, 2004

Contact Information • Stephanos Gialamas, PhD gialamas@acs.gr • Ellen Froustis-Vriniotis vriniotise@acs.gr *Powerpoint Presentation Available at www.acs.gr Head of Schools Link