Service-learning program gives students ways to connect
Published on Thu, Jul 29, 2010Read More News
Getting students involved in their community increases their commitment to their education too.
Edmonds Community College’s Retention Project aims to decrease dropout rates and increase participation in college by providing students with more hands-on opportunities to see how they can make a difference.
“Service-learning is a teaching strategy that engages students in meaningful community service and allows them to reflect on their experiences,” said service-learning coordinator Amy Johnson.
“When students work alongside a government agency, community group, or non-profit as part of their education, they gain knowledge and through reflection, they see that what they are learning affects lives. They also gain valuable networking opportunities and workforce development skills. Research has shown that students who are actively involved achieve their academic and personal goals more readily,”
Adding these kinds of experiences to a typical school day takes work, however.
This year, thanks to a grant from Washington Campus Compact, Edmonds Community College will be able to provide more service-learning opportunities for its students.
Washington Campus Compact, a service-learning consortium based at Western Washington University, received a $585,000 AmeriCorps grant from The Corporation for National and Community Service to support college access and success initiatives.
As a result, Edmonds Community College will receive three full-time AmeriCorps members.
The AmeriCorps members will arrange service-learning projects for students in: Adult Basic Education/ESL classes, the TRiO Student Support Services program for low-income students, and the Learn and Serve Environmental Anthropology Field (LEAF) School, a series of anthropology classes with an emphasis on service-learning and sustainability.
They will also provide peer mentoring in tutoring programs and service-learning projects at the college and local K-12 schools.
“The Retention Project will provide middle school, high school, and college students who are at risk of dropping out of school with a college student mentor from Edmonds Community College,” said Washington Campus Compact Executive Director Jennifer Dorr. “Through this program, college student volunteers will mentor struggling students to achieve success in the classroom and continue their education through college.”
In the past, Edmonds Community College students have worked with students at Edmonds School District’s Indian Education Program, PROVE Alternative High School in Lake Stevens, and Kettle Falls School District.
Service-learning projects have included teaching K-12 students how to track wildlife, building trails in Moran State Park, coordinating a donation drive for Clothes for Kids, and organizing a Fair Trade Project.
All of the classes, and many of the activities and events, are open to community members who wish to participate as well.
For more information about service-learning opportunities at Edmonds Community College, call 425-640-1882 or go to "http://www.edcc.edu/servicelearning"www.edcc.edu/servicelearning
Edmonds Community College’s Retention Project aims to decrease dropout rates and increase participation in college by providing students with more hands-on opportunities to see how they can make a difference.
“Service-learning is a teaching strategy that engages students in meaningful community service and allows them to reflect on their experiences,” said service-learning coordinator Amy Johnson.
“When students work alongside a government agency, community group, or non-profit as part of their education, they gain knowledge and through reflection, they see that what they are learning affects lives. They also gain valuable networking opportunities and workforce development skills. Research has shown that students who are actively involved achieve their academic and personal goals more readily,”
Adding these kinds of experiences to a typical school day takes work, however.
This year, thanks to a grant from Washington Campus Compact, Edmonds Community College will be able to provide more service-learning opportunities for its students.
Washington Campus Compact, a service-learning consortium based at Western Washington University, received a $585,000 AmeriCorps grant from The Corporation for National and Community Service to support college access and success initiatives.
As a result, Edmonds Community College will receive three full-time AmeriCorps members.
The AmeriCorps members will arrange service-learning projects for students in: Adult Basic Education/ESL classes, the TRiO Student Support Services program for low-income students, and the Learn and Serve Environmental Anthropology Field (LEAF) School, a series of anthropology classes with an emphasis on service-learning and sustainability.
They will also provide peer mentoring in tutoring programs and service-learning projects at the college and local K-12 schools.
“The Retention Project will provide middle school, high school, and college students who are at risk of dropping out of school with a college student mentor from Edmonds Community College,” said Washington Campus Compact Executive Director Jennifer Dorr. “Through this program, college student volunteers will mentor struggling students to achieve success in the classroom and continue their education through college.”
In the past, Edmonds Community College students have worked with students at Edmonds School District’s Indian Education Program, PROVE Alternative High School in Lake Stevens, and Kettle Falls School District.
Service-learning projects have included teaching K-12 students how to track wildlife, building trails in Moran State Park, coordinating a donation drive for Clothes for Kids, and organizing a Fair Trade Project.
All of the classes, and many of the activities and events, are open to community members who wish to participate as well.
For more information about service-learning opportunities at Edmonds Community College, call 425-640-1882 or go to "http://www.edcc.edu/servicelearning"www.edcc.edu/servicelearning
