A menu of possibilities shows what has worked in the past given similar time and budget constraints. It also helps to eliminate pie in the sky ideas that might have to be taken off a list as unrealistic and create a barrier to new ideas generated.
Diane
Just like their are different flavors of ice cream - everyone is drawn to something different. Students will be drawn to different experiences based on confidence levels, skills, interest, beliefs, etc. If you only have one choice not all students will be interested in getting involved.
I think not only does having a menu of opportunities shows students what is actually available for them in service learning, and identifies opportunities but also I think it educates them further what service learning is, how they specifically they will be able contribute to the community, and what they will get out of it.
Sometimes students don't have any idea of what possibilities exist. Having a menu helps them both with that and also with the ability to expand the menu and think up new options on their own.
It is important for the students to be able to choose from a menu of service learning opportunities. This gives them the opportunity to lean towards their passion instead of being told what to do.
Thank you, Theodore.
Your menu idea is a good one since the students can take more ownership. We also have been and are still working on integrating the SL projects into our curricula.
Trent Bartholomew
It is a good idea to make a menu of service learning opportunities to students. This way a student can select an area that they have knowledge about and an area that they what to gain more experience in. When the student selects a project that they are interested in, the students naturally become dedicated to the project.
Yes! Being able to identify with fellow students at a volunteer opportunity is critical especially for more reserved students or those who are not outgoing. Having classmates involved can be motivating and hel them build community as students within the school as well as in the outside world.
I've found that having different choices resulted in groups of students getting together and dicussing options.
When 3 or more students get together and begin discussing options, interest and enthusiasm soon follow.
When students participate in groups instead of individually, the are more likely to suceed!
Allowing the students to choose from a number of different opportunities will encourage a more full and focused engagement on their part. After all; ice cream comes in at least 26 flavors!
Everyone responds to choice!
Why is it a good practice to make available to students a menu of service learning opportunities?
This allows greater engagement since this empowers the students to pick the one that best meets their needs as well as the one they feel strongly about. This facillitates greater passion and results with improved success.
THIS ENABLES THE STUDENTS TO BEST CHOOSE THE OPTIONS BEST SUITED FOR THEIR INDIVIDUAL GOALS IN RELATION TO THEIR DESIRED FIELDS OF STUDY...PAUL T. ROUGEMONT
It makes it personal to the students. Once they see the different types of activities they are able to engage in, they will put their own stamp on it.
Providing a “Menu†allows for individuals to be drawn to a service area or need that best suits their talent or interest. The success of the opportunity is directly proportionate to the interest by the student. And that success will evolve into the overall success of the program and learning institution. The student is an individual, although they are grouped into a particular academic/vocational program, each has their own specific needs based upon their particular set of life circumstances. If they are not interested in a specific SL, that particular program will not meet its full potential and the community it serves will not reap the intended benefits.
I believe it allows students the opportunity to get involved in selecting how they learn and how to help the community. It allows the students to see how their decisions relate to the community they live in.
I have found this to be true as well. I require a class group presentation of the learning activity, and an individual reflective review paper, which includes both formative and summative evaluation of the project. The majority of the reviews state that fact, "cannot wait to do this again". It is always a confidence builder, even for the quieter students.
Dear Barbara,
You have made an excellent point in that allowing our students to select their service-learning event will allow them to overcome certain misgivings. Of course, once they help at one event, we have found that our students want more! Wonderful.
Trent Bartholomew
I agree, we are asking students to apply their knowledge and newly acquired skills with a group of peers, in front of a community they are unfamiliar with, which for many is way out of their comfort zone. When students have the opportunity to select a topic of interest, they will have more desire to overcome their reservations and fears, and be more willing to “test the watersâ€. I have found once they define a goal and begin to plan their educational program their confidence grows, as ideas are generated and they become aware that they have the foundations to build upon. If we were to assign them to an area of little interest and require them to “perform†outside of these boundaries much would be lost in the process. We learn best from that which we see as relevant and meaningful.
So they can choose which service to participate in rather than an all or none approach. This way they can choose and want to participate.
Students tend to learn more when working in areas that peak thier interest.
