Stages+of+Service+Learning

**The Five Stages of Service Learning**

=**INVENTORY AND INVESTIGATION** =

**Using interviewing and other means of social analysis, students:**

 * catalog the interests, skills, and talents of their peers and partners,
 * identify a need,
 * analyze the underlying problem,
 * establish a baseline of the need,
 * begin to accumulate partners.

=**PREPARATION AND PLANNING** =

**With guidance from their teacher, students:**

 * draw upon previously acquired skills and knowledge,
 * acquire new information though varied, engaging means and methods,
 * collaborate with community partners,
 * develop a plan that encourages responsibility,
 * recognize the integration of service and learning,
 * become ready to provide meaningful service,
 * <span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">articulate roles and responsibilities of all involved,
 * <span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">define realistic parameters for implementation.

=<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">** ACTION ** =

<span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Through direct service, indirect service, research, advocacy, or a combination of these approaches, students take action that:

 * <span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">has value, purpose, and meaning,
 * <span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">uses previously learned and newly acquired academic skills and knowledge,
 * <span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">offers unique learning experiences,
 * <span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">has real consequences,
 * <span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">offers a safe environment to learn, to make mistakes, and to succeed.

=<span style="color: #b7222b; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**REFLECTION** =

===<span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">During systematic reflection, the teacher or students guide the process using various modalities, such as role play, discussion, and journal writing. Participating students: ===


 * <span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">described what happened,
 * <span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">examine the difference made,
 * <span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">discuss thoughts and feelings,
 * <span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">place experience in a larger context,
 * <span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">consider project improvements,
 * <span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">generate ideas,
 * <span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">identify questions,
 * <span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">encourage comments from partners and recipients,
 * <span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">receive feedback.

=<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">** DEMONSTRATION ** =

===<span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Students showcase what and how they have learned, along with demonstrating skills, insights, and outcomes of service provided to an outside group. Students may: ===


 * <span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">report to peers, faculty, parents, and/or community members,
 * <span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">write articles or letters to local newspapers regarding issues of public concern,
 * <span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">create a publication or Web site that helps others learn from students' experiences,
 * <span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">make presentations and performances,
 * <span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">create displays of public art with murals or photography.

<span style="color: #808080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Source: //The Complete Guide to Service Learning by Cathryn Berger Kaye//