Transcript Slide 1

TUTORIAL 2
Identifying Goals
and Objectives for
Service-Learning/CBL
Courses
Office of Academic Excellence and Assessment
Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
Tutorial Goals

At the end of this tutorial, you will have an understanding
of:
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The differences between goals and objectives
The criteria and objectives specific for service-learning courses
The pedagogical models of service-learning courses
Office of Academic Excellence and Assessment
Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
Tutorial Objectives

At the end of this tutorial you will be able to:

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
Determine if your course is appropriate for service-learning
Identify specific goals and objectives for your
service-learning course
Choose the appropriate model for your potential course
Office of Academic Excellence and Assessment
Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
General Explanation of Goals

Goal – general statement that provides some direction
for student and instructor of what is to be accomplished in
the course
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Think of it as a state of being
For example: I want the students to understand
concepts of family communication; I want to encourage
students to think critically about current welfare policies
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To know…
To realize…
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Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
General Explanation
of Objectives

Objective – something that is measurable and achievable
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Follows goals – ways to achieve the goals, demonstrate the goals
Think of it as an action of doing
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For example: Students will articulate the types of family
configurations; Students will critically evaluate the strengths
and weaknesses of arguments in welfare policies
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Many times it is good to make the following statement:

“At the end of the semester, you (or students) will be able to…
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Define
Integrate
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Creighton University
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© 2007Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
Categories/Criteria for
Service-Learning
Relevant and Meaningful
Service With the
Community
Purposeful
Civic
Learning
Academic
S-L
Enhanced
Academic
Learning
Howard, 2001
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Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
Relevant and Meaningful Service
With the Community
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Service is reciprocal for all parties
Service must comply with what community defines as
important and what instructor defines as important
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Relevant
Meaningful
Developed and formulated with community
NOT “service to” or “service for” BUT “service with” the
community
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Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
Enhanced Academic Learning
Goals and Objectives

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Service-learning complements the classroom experiences
Real-world experience enhances learning opportunities
unavailable in more traditional pedagogies
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Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
Enhanced Academic Learning
Categories
General
Description
Goals
Objectives
Course-Specific
Academic
Learning
Knowledge, skills,
attitudes and behaviors
particular to course
Understand differences
between family types
Compare and contrast
communication structures
within family types
Generic
Academic
Learning
Knowledge and skills
instrumental for all
courses
Learn critical thinking
and problem-solving
skills
Demonstrate effective
decision-making in family
scenario situations
Learning How
to Learn
Knowledge and skills
that build learning
capacity
Understand theory
and how to apply
academic knowledge
to real world
Critique family policies and
their effects on student’s
own lives
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Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
Enhanced Academic Learning
Categories
General
Description
Goals
Objectives
Community
Learning
Knowledge and skills
that can only be
learned in the
community
Learn about a particular
population; understand
social issues
Evaluate how community
agencies work with elders to
increase the quality of life
Inter- and IntraPersonal
Learning
Knowledge and skills
critical to develop of
whole; valued by liberal
arts education
Work collaboratively with
others; learn about other
groups/cultures
Identify group members’ role
contributions to projects;
Examine and conduct
personal assessment of
values and ethics; reflect
upon experiences
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Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
Purposeful Civic Learning Goals
and Objectives
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Contributes to students preparation for community or
public involvement in diverse democratic society
Seeks to prepare students with knowledge-skills-values
for active involvement in future communities
Allows one to realize one’s local community and beyond
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Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
Purposeful Civic Learning
Categories
General
Description
Knowledge
Skills/Objectives
Values/realized
internally
Academic
Learning
(as related to
community)
Helps student
understand and
be prepared for
community
involvement
Understand root
causes of social
problems
Develop active
learning skills
That important
knowledge
is only found in
community
Democratic
Citizenship
Prepare
citizenship
involvement in
community
Know different
conceptualizations
of citizenship
Develop
competency in
identifying
community assets
Communities
depend on active
citizenry
Diversity
Learning
Prepare
students for
involvement in
cultural and
diverse
communities
Understand
individual vs.
institutional “isms”
Develop and use
cross-cultural
communication
skills
Variety of minority
voices needed to
make sound
community
decisions
Office of Academic Excellence and Assessment
Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
Purposeful Civic Learning
Categories
General
Description
Knowledge
Skills/Objectives
Values/realized
internally
Political
Learning
Related to
political arena
Learn about how
citizen groups
affect change in
communities
Develop and utilize
advocacy skills
Citizenship more
than voting and
paying taxes
Leadership
Learning
Prepare students
for community
accomplishments
Understand
social change
model of
leadership
Develop skills that
facilitate sharing
leadership roles
Leadership is
process; and not
just a role
Inter & IntraPersonal
Learning
Learn about
self & others to
prepare students
to work better
with other citizens
Understand one’s
social identities
Enhance problemsolving and listening
skills
Ethic of care
Social
Responsibility
Learning
Teach people
their personal and
professional
responsibility to
others
Learn how
individuals in
particular
professions act
in socially
responsibly ways
Determine how to
apply one’s
professional skills to
better society
Responsibility to
others applies to
all kinds of careers
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Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
Choosing Appropriate
Objectives
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Not all the aforementioned objectives will be appropriate
for your course
Look through the objectives and decide which are best
suited for your course
However if you cannot see how your course fits
somewhere within all three areas, your course may not be
appropriate for service-learning as it does not fulfill the
criteria for service-learning (community-based learning).
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Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
6 Models of Service-Learning/CBL
Discipline-Based
Action
Research
Problem-Based
“Pure” S-L
Service
Internships
Capstone
Courses
Heffernan, 2001
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Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
1 - “Pure” Service-Learning
Model 1 - “Pure” Service-Learning:
 Courses specifically set up to send students out into the
community to serve
 The core of the course is to provide service to a community and
not based within a particular discipline
 Prepares students for active and responsible community
participation
 There may be some interdisciplinary aspects to the course; but
primary goal is to provide service
 Students have readings…related to population they serve
Example: “Introduction to VISTA Preparation;” training students to
be service-learning, or nonprofit coordinators; OR “Introduction to
Service in Sudanese Communities”
Office of Academic Excellence and Assessment
Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
“Pure” Service-Learning
Benefits and Cautions with “Pure” service-learning:
 Students learn direct skills, knowledge and
competencies for this type of participation and service
 Content IS service-learning, volunteerism, or civic
engagement; thus intellectual elements are challenged
by others
 Others may view these courses as “lightweight” because
they may not see the multi-disciplinary approach to the
course (i.e., philosophical, social, historical…
underpinnings related to the population or course)
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Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
2 - Discipline-Based Service-Learning
Model 2 - Discipline-Based service-learning:
 Course is directly related to a discipline; academic study
 Students work regularly in a community with a particular
project that meets needs of community while meeting
course objectives
 Reflect on experiences throughout the semester;
journals, papers, projects…
 How most service-learning courses are created (via
discipline)
Example: Creative Writing; Evidence-Based Nursing Care
Management
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Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
Discipline-Based Service-Learning
Benefits and Cautions with Discipline-Specific servicelearning:
 Easier to defend intellectually
 Link between community experience and course content
must be made explicit
 Placement monitoring is critical
 The argument that the service is part of the class; but
remember the site is another text for the course and an
assignment like all others in the course
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Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
3 - Problem-Based Service-Learning
Model 3 - Problem-Based service-learning:
 Students work with community as “consultants” to help
the community with a particular problem or need
 Assumes the students have appropriate knowledge for
project
 They can draw upon what they learn from community and
classroom to make recommendations to community or to
help develop a solution
Example: Business web-design course; Science course that
identifies appropriate plants for neighborhood; Dentistry
class determines best dental care needed in
neighborhood
Office of Academic Excellence and Assessment
Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
Problem-Based Service-Learning
Benefits and Cautions with Problem-Based servicelearning:
 Students take on responsibility and really own the project
and work together to identify the community’s needs
 Due to the limited time in the community (i.e., one
semester), students may not be able to resolve the whole
problem; however, part is still better than nothing
 Be careful not to promote that students are “experts” and
the community becomes a “client” with the project;
remember the reciprocal relationship of service-learning
and community-based service
Office of Academic Excellence and Assessment
Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
4 - Capstone Courses
Model 4 - Capstone Courses:
 Typically designed for majors or minors in a discipline and for
students in final year
 For students to draw upon knowledge obtained throughout
academic career and combine it with community experience
 Students may produce portfolio or particular senior project as
a result of community experiences
Example: Communication students working with Girls, Inc. to
produce publications and promotional materials via focus
groups and interviews with teens – students learn about young
women in the community and produce materials for the
community through the eyes of the young women
Office of Academic Excellence and Assessment
Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
Capstone Courses
Benefits and Cautions with Capstone Courses:
 Helps students transition from world of theory to practice
via professional and personal experiences
 Students are sometimes responsible for placement as
part of the experience is to highlight their skills
 Communities are offered specific skill sets via students
who can invest significant time in research and practice
 Danger is that when students graduate and leave the
community they take with them valuable knowledge not
easily replaced
Office of Academic Excellence and Assessment
Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
5 - Service Internships
Model 5 - Service Internships:
 Different than other internships in that they have regular
and on-going reflections linking community experiences
with discipline-based theories
 Set in site that is typical for service-learning; more
nonprofit in nature
 Reciprocal in nature; community members and student
benefit equally
 Many times non-paid in nature
Example: student serving at Red Cross; student serving at
Guadalupe Center; student working with after school
children at Kiewit Middle School; pharmacy student
working at a Native American reservation
Office of Academic Excellence and Assessment
Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
Service Internships
Benefits and Cautions with Service Internships:
 Can have more connection with faculty member and
students as reflections are discussed in groups or with
continued feedback and communication
 Students typically create a body of work of value to the
community or community site
 Oversight/supervision by community partner may be
taxing if not coordinated appropriately in advance
 Like capstone courses, students knowledge and insight is
difficult to replace
Office of Academic Excellence and Assessment
Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
6 - Community-Based
Action Research
Model 6 - Community-Based Action Research:
 Reserved for students who are highly involved in
community work
 Students work closely with faculty to learn research
methodologies while service as advocates for a
community; may be similar to independent studies
 May be done with small group of students
 Project needs to be in coordination with community;
results given to community
Example: Medical student and science student working
together to advocate for community that has high levels of
lead; political science student working with a community to
determine if they are unfairly harmed by a particular law
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Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
Community-Based Action
Research
Benefits and Cautions with Action Research:
 Many faculty act favorably as it reflects disciplinary work
in the field
 Values the analysis and synthesis of information in a
tangible project
 Assumes students have time management skills and are
self-directed, which may or may not always be the case
 Complications with the research itself can impact the
community overall
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Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
Choosing the Appropriate Model
As you can see, various decisions to be made prior to
creating a service-learning course and the most
appropriate model:

What are your course objectives?

Important to let the objectives guide the course
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What are the needs of the community (if you know that
yet)?

What model works best for your course?
Office of Academic Excellence and Assessment
Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
Final Thoughts

Hope you now have a better understanding of creating
goals and objectives for your course

Based upon your particular objectives, you will now be
able to determine the type of service-learning course you
want you students to experience

Proceed to completing the post-tutorial exercises
Office of Academic Excellence and Assessment
Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
References
Gelmon, S. B., Holland, B. A., Driscoll, A. Spring, A., & Kerrigan, S. (2001). Assessing
service-learning and civic engagement: Principles and techniques. Providence, RI:
Campus Compact.
Heffernan, K. (Ed.), (2001). Fundamentals of service-learning course construction.
Providence, RI: Campus Compact.
Howard, J. (Ed.). (2001). Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning: Servicelearning course design workbook. Ann Arbor, MI: Regents of the University of
Michigan, OCSL Press.
Office of Academic Excellence and Assessment
Creighton University
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© 2007 Donna R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies