Program Information: President s Honor Roll Recipient

Transcription

1 Welcome to the Service Learning & Volunteer Center, also known as the center for community engagement. This handbook is designed to help community partners better understand the Service Learning Program at MiraCosta College. Program success depends on strong partnerships between college and community. While collaborative efforts can be challenging, the potential for student learning and community enrichment is great. Mission Statement: The mission of the Service Learning and Volunteer Center is to support and promote student success and student engagement through curricular and cocurricular community service. The center facilitates applied learning opportunities that enhance student learning while increasing personal civic responsibility, community awareness, personal growth, and cultural competency. Program Information: MiraCosta College 1 Barnard Drive Oceanside, CA Mail Station 10B Phone: FAX: President s Honor Roll Recipient Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00-4:30 Evening hours by appointment only Staff Members: Program Coordinator- Bea Palmer bpalmer@miracosta.edu Visit our Website: The MiraCosta College Service Learning and Volunteer Center is a Presidential Honor Roll recipient. This distinction is awarded from the highest levels of government and recognizes an institution's leadership in building a culture of service and civic engagement on campuses and in the nation.

2 What is Service Learning? Service learning is a form of experiential education that partners academics with community service. It is an effective teaching strategy that is widely used in higher education. According to the American Association of Community Colleges: The service learning instructional methodology integrates community service with academic instruction as it focuses on critical reflective thinking and civic responsibility. Service learning programs involve students in organized activities that address local needs, develop academic skills, create a sense of civic responsibility, and foster a commitment to the community. There are three basic components to effective service learning: The first is sufficient preparation, which includes setting objectives for skills to be learned or issues to consider, and includes planning activities and projects so that they contribute to the learning. The second component is performing the service. The third component is the reflection process. Students attempt to analyze the experience and make critical connections between the service activity and the course material. How does it differ from volunteerism and internships? Volunteerism Student volunteers provide service to the community outside of their course studies. Because there is no curricular connection, they can select any type of organization they wish to serve and determine their own time commitment. Students often volunteer as part of college club activities or for personal enrichment and work experience. Service Learning Service learning students are enrolled in a course that requires a community service project. Because this assignment is just one part of the course requirements, the time commitment is limited (typically hours over the duration of the semester). The goal of the project is to increase student learning through practical experiences and provide community support. As part of the learning experience, students are required to critically reflect on their service through writing and dialogue. 1

3 Internships Student interns are placed in settings where they can earn career related work experience. Placements include both non-profit and corporate settings. Since the internship is a standalone course, the student is required to complete hours of service based upon the desired units. Course assignments are completed under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Internship opportunities may be paid or unpaid. Please note: The Service Learning and Volunteer Center does not facilitate internship placements. For additional information about internships, please contact the MiraCosta College Career Center at (760) Staff The Center, Staff & Student Leadership Team The center is housed at the Oceanside Campus, but support services are also available by appointment at the San Elijo and Community Learning Center. There is one program has two permanent staff, a full time coordinator and a part time secretary. Student Advocate (student leadership team) The program hires a team of student workers, Student Advocates. The students help peers connect with on and off campus service opportunities, help provide food pantry services to students in need, learn leadership skills and are assigned to a local Title I school or a non-profit organization that supports local Title I schools. 2

4 What are the Benefits of Service Learning? For Community Partners: Provides a source of energetic and motivated students who can support organizational needs Promotes volunteerism and community responsibility Fosters reciprocal partnerships between college and community Increases public awareness about community organizations and the services they provide Provides a greater pool of qualified applicants for future job openings Allows organizational leaders to share their expertise with students For Students: Allows students to apply course concepts in real world settings Increases comprehension by putting theories into practice Increases community awareness and fosters a sense of civic engagement Provides guidance with career decisions and planning Strengthens university transfer and scholarship applications Exposes students to community leaders who have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share Promotes diversity appreciation For the College: Provides a more stimulating teaching and learning environment Promotes greater course satisfaction and retention rates Helps the college meet goals established by the Board of Trustees Builds better community relations and partnerships Promotes the use of innovative teaching methods Engages students and faculty in local issues 3

5 Nutrition students lead an educational activity at the STREAM Festival, also known as the community science fair. How does an organization become a partner? The MiraCosta College Service Learning and Volunteer Center establishes community partnerships with local nonprofit organizations including schools and city programs. If your school or agency is interested in partnering with our program, please review the following requirements: 1. Must be a local nonprofit, public school, or city/government agency. 2. Ensure that your organization provides basic liability insurance coverage for student volunteers. If you have any questions regarding this requirement, please ask the program coordinator. 3. Must be able to provide supervision for on-site student placements. Some instructors may approve students to do indirect service projects that can be done off site or at the student s home. Some examples of indirect service may be: preparing fliers, researching data, translating, etc. 4. Schedule a meeting with the program coordinator. The coordinator can help you determine if the partnership is a good fit for your organization. 5. Have your organization complete the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This document clarifies expectations for both the college and participating organizations. 6. Complete an Agency Update Form. This form is needed to collect necessary information from your organization including contact information, descriptions of volunteer tasks, requirements for volunteers and scheduling options. This information will be distributed to potential service learning students. 7. Schedule a site visit with the Service Learning Coordinator to finalize the partnership. 4

6 Examples of Service Learning Activities Organizations that have successfully partnered with the MiraCosta Service Learning Program have discovered creative ways to reach across multiple disciplines, utilizing the talents of many students. Examples include the following: Community Partner Types of Activities Boys and Girls Club homework tutoring (English) physical fitness activities (Kinesiology) chemistry for kids workshops (Chemistry) San Dieguito Heritage Museum website design (Computer Technology) archival work (History) marketing materials (Marketing) Casa de Amparo special event assistance (Hospitality) children s activities (Child Development) community outreach (Communications) North County Lifeline Brother Benno s Laurel Elementary School Ivey Ranch Park Association income tax preparation (Accounting) after school tutoring (Sociology) office assistance (Business) translation services (Spanish) intake assistance (Psychology) meal service (Nutrition) classroom assistance (Education) math tutoring (Math) literacy projects (English) preschool assistance (Child Development) therapeutic horseback riding (Nursing) gardening projects (Horticulture) Fraternity House Inc. meal planning & preparation (Nutrition) biography work (English) resident visits (Psychology) 5

7 Step One: Preparation The Service Learning Process College instructors incorporate a service learning component into the curricula either as an option or a requirement. Assignments vary from a one-time project to a semester long placement. The average service projects are hours per semester, and 2-3 hours per week. The service component is then introduced to the students. Service learning staff members provide a short program orientation to each class. Students work with the Service Learning and Volunteer Center to select the best community placement for them. Placement considerations include: location of organization, scheduling availability, learning outcomes, career development, and personal interests. Step Two: Action The student contacts the agency to schedule an appointment for an interview and site visit. The interview is the perfect time to discuss expectations, mission statement, scheduling, learning objectives, and to clarify assigned duties. An Agency Agreement Form is completed at this time. The student then provides the service under the supervision of agency personnel. Hours are recorded on a time sheet provided by the Service Learning Center. At the conclusion of the service hours, the student s site supervisor completes a performance evaluation for the student. This evaluation is routed to the faculty member for grading purposes. Step Three: Reflection The student is required to document their experiences through journal entries or field notes. They are asked to reflect on learning and identify connections between service work and course content (theoretical concepts, literature, lecture). The student completes their service commitment and writes a reflection essay which summarizes the overall experience and learning 6

8 process. Community Partner s Rights and Responsibilities Community Partner Rights Community Partners have the right to: expect that students will be an asset to their organization interview students to determine whether they are an appropriate fit for the organization say no when the student or service request does not meet organizational needs determine placement requirements (number of hours, background check, etc.) determine how many students the organization is willing to accept each semester set deadlines for accepting new students set standards for student performance and conduct release a student if they fail to perform as expected rely on the service learning coordinator to help solve problems that may arise request student evaluation data on their organization Community Partner Responsibilities Community Partners are asked to: complete the Memorandum of Understanding (Appendix A) maintain updated organizational information provide general liability coverage for volunteers provide adequate orientation and training assign meaningful learning experiences for the students validate student placements by signing student paperwork and completing student evaluations ensure that students are not involved in personal hygiene tasks such as diapering, toileting, dressing, bathing, etc. supervise and monitor student activities contact the Service Learning and Volunteer Center if there are questions or concerns 7

9 Student Rights and Responsibilities Student Rights: Students have the right to: be thoughtfully interviewed and assigned be fully informed about the organization: population served, purpose, policies, programs, challenges, and successes receive orientation, training, and ongoing supervision receive sound guidance and direction be treated with respect do meaningful and satisfying work be evaluated and to receive letters of commendation based on service completed Student Responsibilities: Students are expected to: be open and honest at all times attend orientations or trainings scheduled by the agency fulfill time commitments and assigned tasks be reliable, students must call the agency in advance if they are to be absent or tardy show respect for the policies and expectations of the agency use professional behavior at all times share learning objectives with the agency respect confidentiality enter into service with enthusiasm and commitment dress appropriately, respecting the organization s dress codes ask questions when in doubt, communicate effectively be an active learner versus a passive participant complete all service learning forms and return them to the Service Learning Center 8

10 Helpful Hints for Service Learning Success Students first! Remember that service learning students are students first and foremost. In order to promote optimal learning, ask the students about their assignments and learning objectives. Help them think about what the experience means to them, the organizational context, and overall societal issues and impacts. Think outside the box. Think about the many different ways to utilize students at your organization. The college has over 50 different areas of study and many of these require service learning projects. Sometimes the best collaborations are not necessarily the most obvious ones. Plan ahead. Develop job descriptions for service learning students. This process helps identify organizational needs and define service tasks. Job descriptions are also a great tool to use for recruitment and orientation purposes. Be selective. If you interview a student that doesn t appear to be a good fit for the organization, don t feel obligated to accept them. This includes last minute pleas for placements. Orient, train and supervise. This cannot be stressed enough. One of the greatest challenges that students report is being unclear about expectations and task assignments. Take the time to orient them to your agency, explain job assignments and ensure they receive proper guidance and supervision. Say thanks! Like everyone, students want to be welcomed and appreciated. This may take many forms including a simple acknowledgment for a job well done, a thank you note, or an offer to write a letter of recommendation. When students feel valued, they are more likely to continue volunteering even when their course is completed, and are more likely to recommend the site to other students and professors. Make contact. Be sure to contact the Service Learning and Volunteer Center with any questions, concerns or comments. The staff is eager to assist you in 9

11 any way possible. Electronic Resources MiraCosta College Service Learning and Volunteer Center The program website provides a great deal of information about the program. National Service Learning Clearinghouse (NSLC) The Learn and Serve America National Service- Learning Clearinghouse supports the service-learning community in higher education, kindergarten through grade twelve, community-based initiatives and tribal programs, as well as all others interested in strengthening schools and communities using service-learning techniques and methodologies. MiraCosta students learn about food insufficiency and Teri Inc. s urban farms. In Closing For additional information, please call the Service Learning Center and Volunteer Center at (760) MiraCosta College looks forward to a continued partnership in promoting community responsibility and active learning. 10