Tech Directions - May 2008 - (Page 15)

lines in place, adapting them to your curriculum is easy. You’ll find plenty of information is available on service learning. You might want to contact other schools that have a program or search for information on the Internet. I attended a seminar that offered helpful background information and some very useful tips, which I summarize below. Defining service learning—Service learning is a form of experiential learning. Students learn though participation in thoughtfully organized service experiences that meet real community needs and are coordinated in collaboration with schools/faculty and community organizations. The service experiences are integrated into the student’s academic curriculum, so faculty must be involved in planning and implementing service-learning programs. Describing a good service-learning program: • Service learning is not the same as a community service or co-curricular service learning. • Service learning involves students gaining education through volunteer activity in a community and is not an internship. • Learning requires more than just experience. An important part of the academic process involved in service learning is often referred to as “reflection.” • To realize service learning’s full potential as pedagogy, community experiences must be considered in the context of, and integrated with, other planned learning strategies and course resources. Necessary criteria for academic service learning: 1. Service to the community must be both relevant and meaningful. 2. The service must enhance the academic content of a course. 3. The activity should be purposeful. It should directly and intentionally prepare students for active civic participation in a diverse democratic society. Reasons to get involved in service learning: • Involvement responds to a growing conviction that education the Power, Energy, and Transportahas a responsibility for preparing tion course in the spring did not students for civic participation. have an opportunity to participate. • It is increasingly popular among What to do about this situation was faculty and students across the nation. • It effectively integrates a service component into an educational discipline. • It is an excellent type of experiential education that enhances course content. • It addresses community concerns. • It gives students guided reflection on their learning experience. • It gives students an opportunity to learn while interacting with people outside the school commuStudents inspect all vehicles for safety, construcnity. tion, and adherence to the rules of the rally. Expanding Our ServiceLearning Experience With the High Plains Rally only offered in the fall, students who took a challenge, but it didn’t take long to solve the problem. During the 20032004 school year, the Kansas Electro Rally lost its state director. Without Jump start your planning for next year! On-Demand Classroom Projects Year-End Sale 152 Projects + 19 FREE! Save over $100! Order our Super Saver Collection CD for only $495 and get Supplement CD 1 Visit www.techdirections.com/ projectCD.html for details and to order online Or call 1-800-530-9673 Offer expires August 29, 2008 Due to the nature of the media, CDs are non-refundable. FREE! www.techdirections.com CTE/TRANSPORTATION 15 http://www.techdirections.com/projectCD.html http://www.techdirections.com/projectCD.html http://www.techdirections.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Tech Directions - May 2008

Tech Directions - May 2008 Contents Technically Speaking Direct from Washington The News Report Mastering Computers Technology's Past Technology Today Road to Success - Service Learning Enhances Tech Ed Experience Balsa Tower Walls Brave 'Big Buster' These Kids Are Really on the Ball - Inventors Competition Winners School Web Site of the Month Animator Career Exploration Tools Guide Index to Volume 67 More than Fun

Tech Directions - May 2008

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