© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership Hello, Goodbye

Orientation and Closure in the Experiential Course

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership Student Partner Community Partner OrientationandClosure

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership Key Questions WHY are orientation and closure so important? (Goals)WHY are orientation and closure so important? (Goals) WHAT should orientation and closure accomplish? (Obectives)WHAT should orientation and closure accomplish? (Obectives) HOW can orientation and closure accomplish these things? (Strategies)HOW can orientation and closure accomplish these things? (Strategies)

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership Definitions & Synonyms Experiential LearningExperiential Learning Service-LearningService-Learning Community partner = agency = institutionCommunity partner = agency = institution Agency staff = administratorsAgency staff = administrators Community members = clients = consumersCommunity members = clients = consumers Service = work = experienceService = work = experience

Why are orientation and closure so important?

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership For the community partner, orientation and closure: Establish strong and ongoing community partnershipsEstablish strong and ongoing community partnerships Identify a real community need and insure that it is metIdentify a real community need and insure that it is met Help maintain the privacy, dignity, safety and awareness of community members or clientsHelp maintain the privacy, dignity, safety and awareness of community members or clients

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership For the students, orientation and closure: Insure that the learning goals of the course are identified, explained and metInsure that the learning goals of the course are identified, explained and met Help students see the connection between the course work and service experienceHelp students see the connection between the course work and service experience Prepare students for their service experiencePrepare students for their service experience Insure a positive, safe and rewarding service experienceInsure a positive, safe and rewarding service experience Help students to make meaning from their serviceHelp students to make meaning from their service

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership Saying “Hello”

What should orientation accomplish?

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership Orientation Objectives for the Community Partner

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership Orientation for the community partner should: Familiarize the community partner with the students’ profiles and skillsFamiliarize the community partner with the students’ profiles and skills Insure the community partner understands the goals and objectives of the courseInsure the community partner understands the goals and objectives of the course Establish the community partner’s role and responsibilitiesEstablish the community partner’s role and responsibilities Help the community partner communicate its expectations and requirements for the service projectHelp the community partner communicate its expectations and requirements for the service project

How can orientation accomplish these things?

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership Orientation Strategies for the Community Partner

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership Hold frequent pre-course faculty and community partner meetingsHold frequent pre-course faculty and community partner meetings Conduct workshop for entire agency staffConduct workshop for entire agency staff Have community partner sign contractHave community partner sign contract Provide partner with course syllabusProvide partner with course syllabus Present community partner with handbook or other important documentsPresent community partner with handbook or other important documents

What should orientation accomplish?

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership Orientation Objectives for the Students

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership Orientation for the students should: Acquaint students with the community or geographic area they will be working in (diversity issues)Acquaint students with the community or geographic area they will be working in (diversity issues) Introduce students to the community partner (agency, staff, consumers)Introduce students to the community partner (agency, staff, consumers) Describe the nature of the serviceDescribe the nature of the service Provide students with necessary skillsProvide students with necessary skills Clarify students’ roles, responsibilities, & risksClarify students’ roles, responsibilities, & risks Connect the learning goals with the serviceConnect the learning goals with the service Describe assignments that link learning & serviceDescribe assignments that link learning & service Address concerns, fears, and expectationsAddress concerns, fears, and expectations

How can orientation accomplish these things?

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership Orientation Strategies for the Students

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership General orientation to course led by instructor Articulate philosophy of programArticulate philosophy of program Give of overview of course and serviceGive of overview of course and service Outline learning objectives and their connection to serviceOutline learning objectives and their connection to service Present guidelines and requirements of service workPresent guidelines and requirements of service work Answer questions; anticipate apprehensions and concernsAnswer questions; anticipate apprehensions and concerns

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership Orientation session led by community partner representative On site or on campusOn site or on campus History and purpose of agencyHistory and purpose of agency Makeup of communityMakeup of community Rules of conductRules of conduct Dress codeDress code ConfidentialityConfidentiality Risks and risk protocolRisks and risk protocol Contact information Duties and tasks Tour or map of facility Parking Safety precautions Hours of operation, holidays

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership Paperwork Course syllabusCourse syllabus Requirements – hours, visits, project completionRequirements – hours, visits, project completion Time logTime log Contact informationContact information Important dates and deadlinesImportant dates and deadlines Map to and of service siteMap to and of service site Student partner contractStudent partner contract

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership Other Strategies and Activities “Testimony” of former students“Testimony” of former students Discussion of risk management protocolDiscussion of risk management protocol Pre-service surveyPre-service survey Pre-service written reflection exercise with follow-up discussionPre-service written reflection exercise with follow-up discussion Role playingRole playing Pair students for carpoolingPair students for carpooling Initial observationInitial observation

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership Saying “Goodbye”

What should closure accomplish?

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership Closure Objectives for the Community Partner

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership Closure for the community partner should: Provide an opportunity for assessmentProvide an opportunity for assessment Elicit suggestions for future projectsElicit suggestions for future projects Communicate faculty & student appreciationCommunicate faculty & student appreciation Prepare community members for end of servicePrepare community members for end of service

How can closure accomplish these things?

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership Closure Strategies for the Community Partner

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership Finalize or deliver projectFinalize or deliver project Have students write thank-you notes to clientsHave students write thank-you notes to clients Write a thank-you note to agencyWrite a thank-you note to agency Compile a booklet of sample journal entries, essays or assignments for agencyCompile a booklet of sample journal entries, essays or assignments for agency Conduct informal and/or formal evaluations of the placement or projectConduct informal and/or formal evaluations of the placement or project Conduct final site visitsConduct final site visits Encourage students to plan and/or participate in a culminating event at the site (parties, field trips)Encourage students to plan and/or participate in a culminating event at the site (parties, field trips) Invite community partner to culminating event on campusInvite community partner to culminating event on campus

What should closure accomplish?

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership Closure Objectives for the Students

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership Closure for the students should: Make final connections between course learning goals and serviceMake final connections between course learning goals and service Give an opportunity for assessmentGive an opportunity for assessment Elicit suggestions for future projectsElicit suggestions for future projects Help them recognize and articulate a sense of accomplishment, awareness of growth and learningHelp them recognize and articulate a sense of accomplishment, awareness of growth and learning Communicate appreciation & recognitionCommunicate appreciation & recognition

How can closure accomplish these things?

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership Closure Strategies for the Students

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership Assign a group or class project (collage, group writing project, video, PowerPoint)Assign a group or class project (collage, group writing project, video, PowerPoint) Plan (or encourage students to attend) a culminating eventPlan (or encourage students to attend) a culminating event Assign culminating written reflection exercises (journal entries, essays)Assign culminating written reflection exercises (journal entries, essays) Conduct a comprehensive oral reflection session (alternative final exam)Conduct a comprehensive oral reflection session (alternative final exam) Present letters of commendation, certificates and/or awardsPresent letters of commendation, certificates and/or awards