Helpful Hints for Making this  Experience a Success

Remember, service learners are students as well as volunteers. Keep in mind that service-learning students not only want to help meet important community needs, but they are using the experience as a basis for understanding their college course.  Students are receiving academic credit for learning through their service efforts. Help students think about what the experience means to them. Plan ahead. Think about how you can use the service of our students to effectively and creatively meet the needs of your agency.  Are there tasks that you and you staff are now doing that could be divided up and given to a student, thereby freeing up some of your time for other important things?  Is there a project you’ve always wanted to do but never had any time to organize?  Don’t be afraid to give the student a chance to show that he/she can handle the responsibility. Be selective in choosing service learners for your agency. We have provided students with a listing of possible service sites but it is generally their responsibility to make the initial contact.  There may be a number of reasons why a student has called your agency -- the work you do, the location, and the hours.  If the student’s qualifications and/or motivations are not in harmony with your needs, don’t hesitate to reject that student’s request.  The final selection is made by you. Provide orientation and training. Students generally need some orientation to your agency, staff and clients.  Familiarize them with the mission and philosophy of your agency as well as the community issues your agency is trying to address.  They should know to whom they report and where to go to get support and information when that person is unavailable. Be realistic with your expectations for our students. Our students have to complete the service project within the semester.  If you do agree to take on a student, make every effort to provide orientation/training early in the semester.  And remember the student may only be with you for the duration of the semester (approximately 12-14 weeks). Be a mentor for our students. The student-supervisor relationship is one of the most significant parts of the student’s experience and often determines the success of the placement.  In service learning, the supervisor becomes a partner in the student’s education. Talk to Us. Keep us informed of any concerns, problems, successes, or other pertinent issues related to the placement and/or the student.  We are here to facilitate the entire process and ensure that all parties are satisfied.  Here are some telephone numbers that may be helpful: Ann Marie Barry, Director of Student Activities  635-1699 Gwen Nyden, Faculty Coordinator    635-1628 Alan Rubin, Faculty Coordinator    635-1933


 

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For any further information about Service Learning, please contact
srvlearn@oakton.edu
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Copyright & copy; 2000 Oakton Community College. Last update Summer 2000