Service-Learning Project



Learning Outcomes

This assignment is designed to address Information Literacy and Civic Engagement learning outcomes. These specific outcomes are incorporated into the grading rubrics for the papers.

If you wish, you may click HERE to download the American Association of Colleges and Universities VALUE rubric on Information Literacy

If you wish, you may click HERE to download the American Association of Colleges and Universities VALUE rubric on Civic Engagement


Online Writing Resources

The Department of Social Sciences has developed web based resources for writing called "Writing Across the Social Sciences."

In these pages you will find resources pertaining to topics such as:

  • Writing research papers
  • Using the web for your research
  • Finding peer-reviewed articles
  • Avoiding plagiarism
  • APA writing style

Writing Across the Social Sciences web-based Writing Resources


Steps in the Process

Through the class schedule you are going to engage in a number of graded and ungraded activities that will lead you through the process of developing a quality service-learning project. These steps are outlined in the Course Navigator. Descriptions of each step are also included as links in this section of the course.

The steps in the Service-Learning process are:

  1. Locate an Organization to Volunteer with or Design your own Service Project
  2. Complete the SL Proposal Quiz
  3. Complete your Hours (in here you will find a link to the Time Log and Supervisor Evaluation forms you need to complete to document your service.)
  4. Complete your SL Application Paper (Information Literacy)
  5. Complete your SL Reflection Paper (Civic Engagement)
  6. Complete the following SL related forms and documentation (links and instructions are located below)
    • Experience Summary Survey
    • SL Time Log
    • SL Supervisor Evaluation

Scroll down to see specific information related to each of these steps


Step 1: Locate an Organization or design your own service project

You need to document 10 hours of service in the community during the semester in which you are taking this course. The easiest way to do this is to locate an organization that already uses volunteers.

Nearly everything you can think of is probably good:

  • Civic Organizations
  • Political organizations
  • Health Advocacy (like the Lung Association, American Cancer Society, etc.)
  • Fund Raisers (schools, clubs, organizations)
  • Civic Involvement (school boards, town boards, running for office)
  • Church (teaching Sunday School, community work, etc.)
  • Coaching
  • Teaching Classes

Many people decide to work for an existing organization, or you may already do volunteer work for an organization (churches, youth organizations, youth sports, all the Fraternal oganizations---Jaycees, Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus, Elks, etc.)

You can also design your own service projectionist of sitting on the couch saying that "someone should do something about...". Well, get off the couch and be the "someone"!!

It is easier to talk about what you can't do:

  • You cannot do one-on-one personal care
  • You cannot do work for a family member
  • You cannot do work that would otherwise go to a paid employee

The KVCC Center for Civic Engagement maintains a website where opportunities are advertised. Check the graphic to visit the website!



Step 2: Complete the SL Proposal Quiz

Locate the "SL Proposal Quiz" in your course.

Answer the following questions about your proposed SL project. This quiz will remain open indefinitely so you can update it as changes happen. Each time I grade it I will leave comments. You must score a 100 on this quiz in order to have an "approved" SL project. You can take it as many times as you like.

  • The name of the person/organization/activity you are going to be engaged in
  • Contact information for that person or organization (the person who will be "supervising" you)
  • A detailed description of what your duties/activities are going to be
  • A detailed description of how you plan on completing the required hour


Step 3: Complete your Hours and Documentation

Volunteer at the site for the number of hours required by your instructor. Keep a journal of your observations and experiences as this will be useful as you complete the two written papers for this project.


Step 4: Complete your SL Application Paper (Information Literacy)

The point of this paper is to get you to relate topics from class to your experience in your service-learning project. As you are engaged in your service project you encounter people and events that demonstrate and exemplify topics you are learning about in class. For example: if you were serving at a day care you may encounter issues such as: gender differences in play, behavior management, leadership style, learning styles, play behavior, etc. etc.

Use the rubric below as a guide to writing your paper. You are encouraged to organize your paper into sections that cover each aspect of the grading rubric, but be mindful that within each section, your writing needs to be in narrative format.

Your paper should be 3-6 pages long. Include a title page (not included in the page count). Make sure that the title page and the paper itself are the SAME DOCUMENT...do not send two separate files.

SL Application Paper

Title Page
Includes name, course name, semester, date, professor's name, the name of the assignment.
5
Introduction
Introduce your service-learning experience in a 1-paragraph summary. 10
Mechanics
Spelling, punctuation, grammar, syntax, etc. 15
Topic 1

Topic 1 Expectations:

  • Topic name is in bold typeface as a title to this section
  • Define the topic from a reliable source (textbook, website, journal article) and cite your source (in-text citation here and in your References section later)
  • Tell a 1-paragraph story that shows how your SL experience relates to the topic. Your story must use the topic terms and definition and must clearly demonstrate your understanding of the topic
10
Topic 2

Topic 2 Expectations:

  • Topic name is in bold typeface as a title to this section
  • Define the topic from a reliable source (textbook, website, journal article) and cite your source (in-text citation here and in your References section later)
  • Tell a 1-paragraph story that shows how your SL experience relates to the topic. Your story must use the topic terms and definition and must clearly demonstrate your understanding of the topic
10
Topic 3

Topic 3 Expectations:

  • Topic name is in bold typeface as a title to this section
  • Define the topic from a reliable source (textbook, website, journal article) and cite your source (in-text citation here and in your References section later)
  • Tell a 1-paragraph story that shows how your SL experience relates to the topic. Your story must use the topic terms and definition and must clearly demonstrate your understanding of the topic
10
Annotated Bibliography

This section of the paper is designed to introduce you to the professional literature of this field and how it relates to, and informs your thoughts about your service experience.

Identify three peer reviewed sources of information (these are journal articles published in professional journals...not websites, nor your book...see the resources in "Writing Across the Social Sciences" for additional guidance). These must include any articles that you listed above in the Topics section of the paper.

In this section you will include the following:

  • APA formatted reference
  • 1-paragraph annotation as to what the article is about and how it relates and informs your understanding of a topic and/or your service experience.
  • Use the Information Literacy guidelines below to construct your annotations.
40
Information Literacy
Research effectively defines the scope of the topics and experience, key concepts and the types of information to address the assignment as demonstrated by the content explored in the annotations.  
Information Literacy
Uses effective search strategies as demonstrated by the use of current (no more than 5 years old) appropriate peer reviewed journals.  
Information Literacy
Communicates, organizes, and synthesizes information from the articles to fully present a research perspective in the assignment.  
Information Literacy
Articles are cited correctly and ethical standards related to plagiarism are adhered to.  


Step 5: Complete your SL Reflection Paper (Civic Engagement)

The point of this paper is to get you to reflect upon your service and how it relates to you as a person, a citizen, and as a student.

Use the rubric below as a guide to writing your paper. You are encouraged to organize your paper into sections that cover each aspect of the grading rubric, but be mindful that within each section, your writing needs to be in narrative format.

Your paper should be 3-6 pages long. Include a title page (not included in the page count). Make sure that the title page and the paper itself are the SAME DOCUMENT...do not send two separate files.

SL Reflection Paper Rubric

Title Page
Includes name, course name, semester, date, professor's name, the name of the assignment.
5
Introduction
Introduce your service-learning experience in a 1-paragraph summary. (You can use the exact same introduction you used in the Application paper) 5
Mechanics
Spelling, punctuation, grammar, syntax, etc. 15
Analysis of Knowledge

Reflect back on the three topics and research you conducted for the Application paper. How did this service project advance your understanding of the topics in the class?

15
Civic Communication

Reflect upon how you have worked with others in and around your service experience. Describe ways in which you have applied your own communication skills and/or modified your communication in order to build relationships with those individuals.

15
Diversity of Communities and Cultures

Reflect upon your own attitudes and beliefs both before and after this experience. Reflect on ways these attitudes and beliefs have changed as a result of working in this diverse situation and on how you feel this change contributes to your ability to promote civic engagement to others.

15
Civic Identity and Commitment

Provide some examples of specific things you did, engaged in, or experienced that may have reinforced or clarified your personal sense of civic duty and commitment to public action.

15
Civic Action and Reflection

Reflect upon your own role in your service and any leadership actions you might have engaged in (decision making, idea generation, contributions to discussions, etc.). What do you think you accomplished?

15


Step 6: Complete your SL Paperwork and Survey

Have your site supervisor complete the SL Supervisor Evaluation form

Complete your SL Time Log throughout your service experience in order to document your hours and maintain a Journal about your experiences that you can use when you write your paper

This time log must be completed and signed by your site supervisor and submitted to Mark Kavanaugh (or whoever your instructor tells you to submit it to) in paper form...not electronically, at the end of the project.

Please forward your Time Log and Supervisor Evaluation to the Director for the Center for Civic Engagement, Mark Kavanaugh.

Mark Kavanaugh's office is 306 Carter Hall

Mailed documents can be sent to:

Mark Kavanaugh
Center for Civic Engagement
Kennebec Valley Community College
92 Western Ave.
Fairfield, ME 04937

You can also fax documents to: 207-453-5010

DO NOT scan and email these documents...they must be in printed format

When you are completely done your project, please complete the ONLINE SL Experience Summary Survey

SL Summary Survey

The SL Summary Survey link above is actually a link to an external survey managed at KVCC. You need to complete this survey to finalize the required paperwork for the SL Project.

The content of this survey is the same in this FILE. Do not submit this file, however, I need this survey done online.


Calculation of Service-Learning Grade

The final single score for this entire project will be calculated as follows:

  • SL Proposal - 10%
  • SL Application Paper - 45%
  • SL Reflection Paper - 45%