IMPLEMENTING

SERVICE LEARNING
IN AN URBAN
CLASSROOM

Nalo S Lewis
Walden University
EDUC 8143-007
 WHAT IS SERVICE LEARNING?
 “a form of experiential learning that
combines academic coursework with
voluntary service in the community”
(Deeley, S.J., 2010).
 “is an educational methodology that
incorporates student preparation,
service to the community, and
reflection, with links to the academic
curriculum” (National Commission on Service-Learning,
2002).
 HOW DO WE KNOW IT CAN
WORK?
John Dewey’s Philosophy:
 Education starts with the needs and interests of
the child, allows the child to participate in
planning her course of study, employ project
method or group learning, depend heavily or
experiential learning
 Children are active, organic beings…needing both
freedom and responsibility
 Ideas are not separate from social conditions,
philosophy has a responsibility to society
 WHERE DO WE START?
 Step 1:Preparation
 What problems or issues interest the students?
 How can your curriculum be used to support
students to develop a plan to of action.
 Step 2:Action
 What resources do your students need for the
plan devised?
 What role(s) will each student play in achieving
the goal of the group?
 What role will you play in achieving the goal of
the group?
 WHERE DO WE START?
Step 3: Reflection
This is a common method of assessment in service
learning. Students can use journals, blogs or
scrapbooks to discuss:
 Overall impression of experience;
 Personal role within the group;
 Forming and maintaining rapport with site staff;
 Increasing awareness of community issues;
 Lessons learnt about non-governmental
organizations; and
 Negative perceptions and challenges faced
(Parker, E.A., Myers, N., Higgins, H.C., Oddsson, T., Price, M. & Gould, T.,
2009)
 WHERE DO WE START?
 Step 4: Demonstration/Celebration
 How can student success be recognized
throughout the process?
 How will students be rewarded upon achieving
their goal?
 What can/will be done to ensure that the
experience is shared beyond the
classroom/semester/year?
 How can this experience be duplicated and be
equally unique for a different group of students?
 WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF
SERVICE LEARNING?
 The School  The Student
 Increased citizenship
among students;
 Making new connections
with parents and other
stakeholders;
 Opportunities for cross
curricula interactions
amongst teachers;
 Valuable partnerships
created with community
beyond the school.
(Krebs, M., 2008)
 Improved academic
achievement;
 Increased engagement
and learning;
 Enhanced civic
responsibility and
citizenship;
 Enhanced personal and
social skills
(Furco, A. & Root, S., 2010)
 ANY QUESTIONS?...ANY
CONCERNS?...ANY IDEAS?

Thank you for your time!

 REFERENCES
 
 Conner, J. O. (2010). Learning to unlearn: How a service-learning project can help teacher
candidates to reframe urban students. Teaching & Teacher Education, 26(5), 1170-1177.
doi:10.1016/j.tate.2010.02.001

 Conway, J. M., Amel, E. L., & Gerwien, D. P. (2009). Teaching and Learning in the Social Context:
A Meta-Analysis of Service Learning's Effects on Academic, Personal, Social, and Citizenship
Outcomes. Teaching of Psychology, 36(4), 233-245. doi:10.1080/00986280903172969

 Egger, J. (2008). No Service to Learning: “Service-Learning” Reappraised. Academic Questions,

21(2), 183-194. doi:10.1007/s12129-008-9057-7

 Furco, A., & Root, S. (2010). Research Demonstrates the Value of Service Learning. Phi Delta
Kappan, 91(5), 16-20. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

 Heckert, T. M. (2010). Alternative Service Learning Approaches: Two Techniques That

Accommodate Faculty Schedules. Teaching of Psychology, 37(1), 32-35.
doi:10.1080/00986280903175681

 Gross, T. (2010). Service Learning Builds Bonds to School for Young Learners. Phi Delta Kappan,
91(5), 24-26. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
 REFERENCES
  Kielsmeier, J. C. (2010). Build a Bridge Between Service and Learning. Phi Delta Kappan, 91(5), 8-15.
Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

 Levesque-Bristol, C., Knapp, T. D., & Fisher, B. J. (2010). The Effectiveness of Service-Learning: It's Not
Always What You Think. Journal of Experiential Education, 33(3), 208-224. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

 Molee, L. M., Henry, M. E., Sessa, V. I., & McKinney-Prupis, E. R. (2010). Assessing Learning in Service-
Learning Courses Through Critical Reflection. Journal of Experiential Education, 33(3), 239-257.
Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

 Ohn, J.D., & Wade, R., (2009) Community service-learning as a group inquiry project: elementary and
middle school civiconnections teachers’ practices of integrating historical inquiry in community service-
learning. The Social Studies, 100(5), 200-211. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

 Parker, E., Myers, N., Higgins, H., Oddsson, T., Price, M., & Gould, T. (2009). More than experiential
learning or volunteering: a case study of community service learning within the Australian context.
Higher Education Research & Development, 28(6), 585-596. doi:10.1080/07294360903161147

  Zaff, J. F., & Lerner, R. M. (2010). Service Learning Promotes Positive Youth Development in High
School. Phi Delta Kappan, 91(5), 21-23. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.