Service-Learning

Why Community Engagement and Service-Learning? By melding academics with service, coursework comes alive and students learn civic responsibility as they deepen their understanding of the community in which they live. Why Community Engagement and Service-Learning? (video link, click here) Service-learning is a credit-bearing, educational experience in which students participate in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs. Students also reflect on the service activity in such a way as to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility.

Service-Learning Models Product model Students create a usable product for the agency to use in its work. Placement model Students are placed at an agency and do service for 2-3 hours per week. Presentation model Students present information from their class material that may be useful to a particular community organization or to the community at-large.

Step one: Register in the database 1. Login to the service-learning database: http://www4.uwm.edu/community/log.cfm 2. And choose a service assignment:

Step one: Register in the database 3. Read Guidelines and Click Submit Don’t forget to hit “Submit” !

Step Two: check your uwm email and print off your forms Once you submit your registration, a confirmation email will be sent to you, the community partner, the Center, and your professor. The email will provide you with important information, that will lead you to step three…. IMPORTANT! This email contains contact information regarding your site contact, so save this email for future reference.

Email Example After registering in the database, you will receive an email that contains the information you need for step three, contacting your site.

Step Three: Contact your Agency immediately after registering It is your responsibility to email the site you registered at within 48 hours of registering to arrange your orientation and service schedule.

Step three continued: communicating with your site After your email is sent, if you do not hear from your site within 4 business days contact the CCBLLR at islinfo@uwm.edu. The sooner we know you are having troubles getting in contact with your site, the sooner we can help resolve the issue or find another suitable site. IMPORTANT! If you register & contact your site more than four weeks after the start of the semester, there is a great likelihood they are full and you will not get a reply. Registering in the database does not guarantee you the assignment you select. UWM often works with partners that take service learners from other schools as well, so you must contact your site immediately after selection to confirm/set up your orientation or you risk losing your assignment

SERVICE-LEARNING FORMS AND RESOURCES

TimeSHEET

TimeSheet procedure

Step four: Paperwork and tests Fill out forms needed by the agency: Applications, background check, SOME agencies require drug screening, TB test, etc. Fill out forms needed by UWM: SOME classes also have a Service-Learning Agreement. Timesheets (done throughout the semester and turned into your instructor at the end, just like a paper)

Step five: complete your service It is your responsibility to get set up quickly with your service-learning assignment. Be sure to attend orientation / training, be on time to all weekly service sessions, and if you can not make it, call your site supervisor. Treat this like any other class requirement, and represent UWM in a positive and professional manner.

TRUE OR FALSE? Yay! I just registered for my site in the database, now all I have to do is wait for them to contact me! me!

FALSE! Yay! I just registered for my site in the database, now all I have to do is wait for them to contact me! me!

I am feeling very ill and can’t make it to my site. I should contact… a. My professor b. My site c. The CCBLLR office d. No one. It’s not like it’s a job.

I am feeling very ill and can’t make it to my site. I should contact… b. My site

TRUE OR FALSE? I can wait to start my service-learning placement, as long as my schedule allows for me to put in a few 8 hour days of service at the end of the semester.

FALSE! I can wait to start my service-learning placement, as long as my schedule allows for me to put in a few 8 hour days of service at the end of the semester.

TRUE OR FALSE? I haven’t received a reply yet from my site, and it’s been 4 business days since I sent my email. My next step is to contact the CCBLLR, they’ll help me!

TRUE! I haven’t received a reply yet from my site, and it’s been 4 business days since I sent my email. My next step is to contact the CCBLLR, they’ll help me!

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