On the first day of class, the Health Sciences class was assigned a service learning project which included a significant number of hours to be completed within the span of the entire semester. There are countless locations where one can choose to perform their service learning hours, more preferably in the field of the class this project is being done for as well as the field one is pursuing their education in. I chose to complete my service hours at a familiar community which consisted of a daycare along with an elementary school which consisted of five kids ranging from ages six months to four years old as well as a second grade class which was made of twenty five students. Before putting in service learning hours, I arranged some destinations and objectives for myself to achieve throughout the educational experience. The very first learning objective I set for myself throughout the service learning journey was to gain hands-on practice. With this experience as following around the daycare provider and second grade teacher, the help they needed was entirely hands-on for both scenarios are being dealt with mostly young children, along with respectful interactions. In the end, it seemed as if …show more content…
On my last hour of service learning, it hit me in complete realization that this experience has truly given me a deeper insight of what I want to do for a career down the road. Service learning should be a focused requirement for college students to help gain experience of how their related field really works. After completing my service learning hours, I had a much better vision of how teaching works and what I should expect throughout the day working in education with
I had learned lots of new things this year and especially this semester in U.S. History Since 1877. This history course required all students to complete twenty hours of service learning or to write a term paper. After considering the two options, I decided to give the service learning a chance because I thought it would be an interesting experience. There were a variety of projects to choose from, but I felt that the Sustainability Project was the right fit for me.
The functional area of service-learning is currently emerging as an acknowledged department at an institution of higher education. The theoretical roots of service learning go back to John Dewey, and the early twentieth century. However, current research on service-learning pedagogy dates back only to the early 1990’s. Best practices for the field are still being created as more and more new offices are springing up on campuses throughout the United States and institutions internationally. The reason this functional area is becoming ever popular is due to the positive impact it has on students and most all educational outcomes.
As a human services professional, there are many skills that you must already have and that you must obtain as you grow in your career. According to nationalhumanservices.org human services is a very unique feild to work in. They defined this position as the, “objective of meeting human needs through an interdisciplinary knowledge base, focusing on prevention as well as remediation of problems, and maintaining a commitment to improving the overall quality of life of service populations” . In other words, preventing conflicts and improving the lives of many different individuals using knowledge.
important issues, gain new perspectives and provides learning experiences for volunteers as well as individuals from underserved groups. Because of the numerous benefits, college students should enroll in the Service Learning courses or service learning based programs. These programs allows students to move away from the dualism versus unity point of view and focus on reciprocity and provides the skills necessary to approach future service experiences with a service learning perspective.
The combination of class and service learning provided a solid foundation on which to be a morally responsible leader. During class, all sorts of ideas are brought up and discussed as a group and critically analyzing from different perspectives and relating it to other ideas. This enables the students rectify their own beliefs and morals in constructive ways. From these developments, we begin to see how it fits in the world and try to apply ourselves and gain wisdom. Gaining knowledge, experience and wisdom, it becomes our understanding to find good in any aspect of our lives and work towards advancing that good in a way that benefits all.
At this time, I became a group leader in an after-school program for a 3rd-grade class. This was my first time working with children and as imagined, it was a tough transition. The students were Latino and African American, living in poverty stricken neighborhoods with a dysfunctional home life. The program focused on students who were at risk of retention. A large number of students were below average and had been recommended to receive extra academic support. As a result of my time spent working and learning with the students, I choose an educational path.
Following participation in an Engaged Department Institute sponsored by Campus Compact, a service-learning requirement was instituted for all majors in the department studied beginning Fall 2002. All faculty were encouraged to incorporate service-learning in their courses. A training session on service-learning was the centerpiece of a departmental retreat in January 2002. In order to develop closer relationships with community agencies, the department hosted a faculty-partnership luncheon the following fall semester. Potential community partners were invited to meet with faculty in an effort to forge new relationships with the University. In order to institutionalize service-learning, all recruitment advertisements specifically mention service-learning and all new hires are expected to include service-learning components in their courses. As a consequence of these efforts, this department has gone from teaching only a few courses with service-learning components to offering twenty five different classes (thirteen courses) by Fall 2002.
By being an active participant throughout Leading as a Way of Serving, I have had the opportunity to learn so much through assignments, in class activities, demonstrations, and the class retreat. When doing the tasks and taking time to reflect on the experience, I have come to learn that each aspect of the class had a greater impact that the original intention. In thinking about whom I am as a person and how each moment can be a new opportunity for learning, I can live each day in confidence in knowing that I can continue to grow as a servant leader.
A service learning experience is designed to enhance a student 's growth in personal and social development and to obtain an understanding of community involvement. For my service learning experience, I volunteered at Change Point Center. In this reflection paper, I will discuss in depth information about the services that Change Point provides, my goals while I was there,and what I ultimately learned from this experience.
What is the right age for age someone to start a service learning opportunity? Although service-learning opportunities are not usually available until college, service learning can have a major impact on high school students as well. The benefits from starting service learning at a young age include building team working skills, increased academic scores, and also building network opportunites. Service learning can become a valuable part of our youth’s future, and the earlier they begin learning, the more secure our nations future becomes.
There were quite many relations made between my service learning experiences and themes addressed in the course. Some of the connections were about human self-respect, unity, and fairness. The social ties hold people together and can support the people who do not have the power to help each other. It was interesting for me to employ my skills and knowledge I learned in the classroom to serve those who need help.
...tion needed to succeed in the school. In experimental studies, urban schools that use service learning as a curriculum guideline have seen attendance and test scores rise while behavior issues subside. Laws, such as No Child Left Behind, that threaten failing schools with punitive penalties if test scores do not meet a standard are fueling the growing pandemic that is the failing urban schools of the United States. It must be understood that education in the public school system cannot be solved with an old fashioned cookie cutter approach; not all schools should be treated the same. The fact is all schools are unique because they are filled with individuals stemming from their own unique cultural background. Motivation and personalization is key; by tapping into their interests and lifestyle, teachers can bridge the gap between success and repeated failure.
As early childhood educators, we have many responsibilities to countless people and institutions. The most important responsibility that has been reinforced to me over the years is the responsibility for the well-being of children. Not simply the ones in my care, but all children everywhere. This can be accomplished in many ways such as advocacy. Organizations such as NAEYC, of which I am a member, engage in collective public policy advocacy which involves speaking out for and participating in activities that support and protect vulnerable populations such as children (Freeman, Decker & Decker, 2013). By volunteering at the Judy Center and after-school enrichment programs such as Bridges, I have had to opportunity and privilege to meet and collaborate with many wonderful social workers, advocates, and others who toil so diligently to improve the lives of children. “Helping young children become what they are capable of becoming is what the field of early childhood is all about,” (Colmer, Waniganayake, & Field, 2014, 103). In order to accomplish this, early childhood professionals need to continue to grow and develop as professionals. And so, the professional development of every early childhood professional needs to be seen as a lifelong task (Livingston, 2014). Research shows that teachers with more preparation for teaching are more confident and successful with students than
In partnering and adopting the shared Vision, I have enabled me to support the growth of toddlers. I have seen children enter the classroom sometimes shy, unsure or frightened not knowing their surroundings are comforted by service. Having played a part in their development throughout a years’ time is rewarding. they will be cared for and respected. challenge in the process inspires growth not only for me as a leader, but for those that are in my organization.
In this assignment, I worked with students that had been removed from their regular school setting due to discipline issues. The assigned to my caseload were students with disabilities and the school was required by law to provide education opportunities in the least restrict environment possible. Each student would come to an off-site location and receive one on one instruction for two hours per day.