Service-Learning combines meaningful service in our community with academic instruction to develop more socially aware, civically responsible and globally engaged students. Service-Learning is not volunteering, nor is it an internship. Volunteering does not necessarily connect with classroom instruction and internships may not involve service at all. Rather, service-learning equally benefits the community recipient and the student by placing equal importance on the service provided and the learning achieved.
Service-Learning experiences and assignments will support course objectives and learning outcomes, address a community need, necessitate structured student reflection and recognize efforts of those involved.
Service-Learning and Civic Engagement
- Service-Learning: A teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities.
- Co-Curricular Service: Opportunities for student clubs and organizations to participate in a meaningful service based on that group's mission and skills. Activities should address community needs and include reflection.
- Civic Engagement: Working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values, and motivation to make that difference; promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes.
- Volunteerism: Participation in activities designed to improve the quality of life for others.
Examples of Service-Learning in Action
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Dr. Gregg Fields & Mike McFavilen (CGCC) - ENG/CHM Learning Community did a Service-Learning Project called Chem4Kids, where their CGCC students developed Chemistry related children's books. The CGCC students then went to Humphrey Elementary school and shared their books/stories with 3rd graders where they took turns reading to each other. The CGCC students also facilitated a storyboarding activity with the 3rd graders and received feedback from the 3rd grader on their stories. There were about 70 3rd graders and 25 CGCC students.
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Dr. Elliot Cherner (CGCC) - CIS105 class completed a Service-Learning project with our local Chandler Senior Center. The college students did a meet and greet with the seniors and then presented to them an "internet security and safety" presentation.
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Diana Collins (CGCC Nursing Faculty) and the Service-Learning Office worked with a new community partner Lodestar Resource Center on a health fair type of event for local homeless individuals. Our Nursing students provided blood pressure checks, diabetes testing, provided foot checks, and wound care kits. The facility houses approx 150 homeless every day in their multipurpose room for a chance to get out of the weather, get water, get some free hygiene supplies, and also get connected to other resources and services that the community can offer to help get them off the street.