Service Learning Module Guidelines - Weber State University

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Service Learning Module Guidelines

Purpose

The overall purpose of the Service Learning Module in Education 1105 is to help you become more effective college students by helping you to

Integrate meaningful community service with academic study and reflection to enrich your learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities

Learn about and work effectively with people and situations you may not have encountered

Practice time management skills in balancing in-class and out-of-class responsibilities

Reflect, analyze, and articulate in writing and/or orally what the experience has meant to you

Identify connections you have made between your service learning experience and what you have learned in Education 1105.

Requirements

In consultation with your instructor, choose a project at an approved agency and complete 5 hours of work, either alone or in a group

Guidelines on completing preparation materials and the final project will be determined and communicated by the instructor.

Approved Projects

Approved service learning agencies can be found on the Community Partner Database at weber.edu/communityinvolvement. Any agency not listed on this database must be approved by the Education 1105 instructor and the First Year Experience Coordinator before work on the project takes place.

Church-related work is acceptable only when its nature is to meet secular community needs such as food bank (e.g. SHARE), homeless shelters (e.g. St. Anne's Center or the Ogden Rescue Mission) or community services (Deseret Industries, Salvation Army, etc). Unacceptable Service Learning is church-related work which includes proselytizing new members or serving current members of a church

The 5 hours of service time includes only time spent at the agency, not the drive time to/from the agency nor the planning time spent in or out of class in preparation for the service. For legal reasons, students cannot drive or transport agency clients. Students should also be discouraged from participating in any activity where there is a possibility of physical danger.

Conduct During Project

Treat this service learning project as you would a job. For example, call if you cannot make it on the assigned day or if you will be late. You will be expected to serve the agreed upon hours and abide by dress codes or other contractual agreements. The agency may also conduct onsite trainings specific to the project. Remember, the people at the agency may be excellent job references.

If you are working with people, be mindful of their potential emotional attachment to you. Make it clear at the outset how long you are planning to be serving there.

How you leave your site is very important. Say goodbye properly to both your site supervisor and the population you have served. When you are approaching the end of your service assignment, begin reminding them of your departure date before you leave.

	Meet with the supervisor and site contact person to conclude the service, offer to share your journal and final project with them, and inform the people of the highlights of what you have learned or appreciated during the project.
	Celebrate the relationship you have established with the population you have served, perhaps by giving a thank-you card.

Weber State University, First Year Experience
Ogden, Utah 84408-1104
fye@weber.edu, (801) 626-6081