Integrating Service Learning in the English Classroom 101

Description: 

This course, in Argos and Canvas, introduces the beginning steps for teachers who have interest in integrating service learning into their curriculum: identifying the benefits and challenges of service learning, assessing the needs of a community, choosing connecting content, taking a critical eye, and engaging in reflection. Learners should expect to utilize many skills that they expect of their students, such as close reading, effective writing, verbal communication, and self-text-community connections. This is an interactive beginner course that will inspire learners to continue their journey into service learning. 

As the instructional designer, I followed the ADDIE model to ensure learners’ needs were met and their experiences were interactive and engaging. 

Goals: 

The terminal objective of this 6-week course is to guide English teachers in research-based activities to help teachers identify the benefits of a service-learning curriculum and create an action plan for implementation in their school. 

Other objectives in the course include: 

Learners will be able to

• Articulate why service learning in the classroom can enhance student learning
• Articulate the benefit of 9-12 grader service learning for local communities
• Identify skills and tools to assess community needs
• Use the results of needs assessment to select content for a service-learning curriculum
• Reflect on the role of equity and inclusion in designing a service-learning curriculum
• Construct a service-learning action plan for their curriculum 

Importance: 

Service learning is much more than volunteering at a local organization. Effective service learning requires teachers to find the overlap between what skills they want their students to acquire and what the needs are of their community. Therefore, this research-based course guides teachers through a 5-step process that always places community impact at the center. 

Instructor strategies include:

• Social learning
• Connecting through prior knowledge
• Constructivist pedagogies
• Self reflection
• Community engagement 

Technologies include: 

• Padlet 
• Canvas
• Surveys
• Media 

Insight: 

Feedback for this course throughout the years has been overwhelmingly positive. Students have raised over $20,000 for a local organization and assisted the organization in PR and various projects. This course also proves that one can build a community online–there is strength and value to online programming if designed with the learner and community at the center. 

Client:

K-12 Teachers & Administrators

Project Duration:

4-6 Week, online asynchronous

Tech:

Canvas and Argos, and created service-learning courses for in-person K-12.

Instructional Design

Community Building

Equity & Inclusion

Inclusive Pedagogies

Communication

Learner-centered Design

Project-based Learning