SERVICE LEARNING OPTION Year Five Concurrent Pilot Project IMAGINE INSPIRE TEACH DIVERSITY

What Is Service Learning? An opportunity to use your teaching skills in non-traditional teaching contexts. An opportunity to explore other employment options where your teaching skills are an advantage. An opportunity to make community contacts that may lead to future employment outside the classroom.

Why Service Learning? Helps students explore other employment options where their B.Ed. is beneficial Different form of teaching experience Adds benefit to portfolio Another professional contact Provides diversity in teaching Explores an area of interest not available through mainstream teaching

Non-Classroom Practicum Experiences Provide… Opportunities for students to recognize the range of the applicability of their developing skills as teachers. Opportunities to experience the range of services available in their community that provide some form of teaching support to individuals. Settings where students can examine and reflect on their developing skills. Experiences that will challenge each student’s ability to adapt and respond to changing conditions.

Timing Of A Service Learning Placement In year five you complete thirteen weeks of placement. Students who choose a service learning placement, would do so in the first three weeks of this thirteen week block (January 11-29, 2010). Students who complete a three week Service Learning Placement, would complete ten weeks within the board of their choice. Students who participate in Service Learning would still be allowed to participate in one alternative placement.

Any agency that will allow you to teach, whether that be to children, youth, or adults, could be an appropriate placement. You can teach to a class, a small group, or one on one. A placement equals 6 working hours per day. It does not have to be the traditional school hours (e.g could be 1pm-7pm) Where can I seek placement for Service Learning?

Where Can I Do A Service Learning Placement? Big Brothers/Big Sisters YMCA FACS/CAS Respite Care/Community Care Access Detention Centers Hospitals – Pediatric or Geriatric Care Reform Schools Alternative Schools e.g., School for the Deaf Native Cultural Centers Literacy Councils Library Literacy Programs Tutoring Services Homeless Shelters/Outreach Programs Other (as approved by University supervisors)

How Do I Obtain a Service Learning Placement? Students may choose to do their three weeks in North Bay or back home, or any location in Ontario where they may have a placement in mind. Students will find their own placement but will still require Faculty approval. Students will have the assistance of Nancy Maynes and Blaine Hatt, as well as the Service Learning Office. Your placement should not be supervised by a family member or friend.

Service Learning Placement A placement will be confirmed once your placement supervisor has been contacted to: 1.Ensure that the placement is in a safe and professionally monitored environment; 2.Ensure that your teaching skills will be valued and used; 3.Answer any questions your placement supervisor may have: 4.Establish a method of communication directly with your service learning supervisor during your placement.

Evaluating A Service Learning Placement There will be a week two and a week three evaluation which your placement supervisor will complete. Students are to maintain a reflection binder and submit at the completion of their service learning placement. Reflections will be provided to Nancy Maynes and Blaine Hatt.

Commitment to the Service of Others Potential for Leadership in this Community Agency Professional Learning Professional Knowledge Management and Communication Practices Evaluation Criteria Include…

Choosing The Service Option At your next Practice Teaching and Observation class with Olive Ridler, Sandra Minor will be distributing the board choice forms. Students are to indicate on this form their interest in the Service Learning option. Students will be asked to sign a form indicating their intention to participate in the Service Learning Option. (form will be handed out today) Requests to school boards will indicate the revised time frame for students who request the Service Learning option. Placements with the school boards may not be changed once a student has indicated their intention to participate in the Service Learning Option.

How Many Can Participate in Service Learning? As a pilot project for the 2009/2010 school year, we are seeking 40 students to participate in the Service Learning Option.

Questions?? Contact Nancy Maynes or Blaine Hatt for further information about this opportunity.