Service Learning Initiative
<p style="margin-left:27.0pt;"> Dear Faculty,</p> <p style="margin-left:27.0pt;"> The Leadership and Student Involvement Office wishes to continue to enhance its community involvement through our service learning initiative. Service-learning is an excellent opportunity to enhance students’ learning while providing assistance to those in need. The most effective method of accomplishing this is by including service work applicable to a course curriculum that is followed by planned reflective exercises. Relating the students practical experience to theories and skills discussed in class will significantly enhance the students learning of course material. Old Dominion University has chosen to emphasize the importance of maintaining an equal balance between service contributed and the education and learning that results from the service. </p> <p> There are two options to incorporate service learning into your curriculum. Direct Service, which varies from 10 – 30 hours per semester and is a percentage of the overall course grade (typically 10%). The second option is Action Research, which varies from 25-30 hours per semester and is a percentage of the grade (typically 25%).</p> <p style="margin-left:27.0pt;"> The service learning component of our office is designed to serve as a liaison between faculty and the agencies. Upon receipt of your request, we will reach out to relevant partners for service learning opportunities. For graduate level courses, we can request project proposals from community agencies that meet your guidelines. A member of our team will work with you and an agency to secure the appropriate experience for your students. </p> <p style="margin-left:27.0pt;"> If you have a particular project or agency in mind for the service component of your course please submit the Faculty Request Form, which is attached. I will approach these agencies or other applicable agencies with these ideas. Some examples of projects include: creation of computer programs to enhance services, creation of educational programming for cliental, design of marketing materials, target market research, assisting communities with various enhancement projects, and more. Our office will also be able to assist you in developing ideas for projects as well as locating syllabi from other institutions with service learning components for your review. </p> <p style="margin-left:27.0pt;"> If you have any questions about the program please contact me at Leadership & Student Involvement Office.</p> <p style="margin-left:27.0pt;"> Best Wishes,</p> <p> Dionicia Mahler-Rogers, Associate Director</p> <p> Leadership & Student Involvement</p> <p> dmahlerr@odu.edu</p> <p> 757-683-3446</p>
FacultyRequestServiceLearning Sheet.docx (14.6 KB)
Posted By: Deborah Bousman
Date: Mon Nov 18 10:39:46 EST 2013