Community Service

Community Service (Learning) Project
(aligned with the WKU Quality Enhancement Plan) 25 points

CUMBERLAND TRACE - BLOCK 1

What does it mean to engage students for success in a global society? WKU is currently working on a proposal entitled the Quality Enhance Plan. The central focus is student "engagement." An August 17, 2004 draft of the QEP states the following:

Engagement is not one thing, but many. Meaningful engagement
activities encompass academic activities, independent scholarship,
service learning and personal exploration. Diverse in form but
consistent in function, meaningful engagement activities inspire
students to become active contributors to their own learning,
and to take responsibility for their own education, personal and
professional growth. Our role as faculty and staff is to promote
and facilitate engagement and leadership opportunities relevant
to our particular disciplines and areas of focus ...

This component of the block syllabus requests that you engage in some type of "service" above and beyond community involvements you may already perform. Try something new. Find a need that you have previously overlooked. Reach out. This service may be individual, small group, or an entire site (BG, OB, GL, ET) may decide to put all their efforts behind a particular cause or to serve a particular need. This is only as meaningful as you make it.

Another aspect of your engagement must include a connection to the learning/content in Block 1. When you are deciding the type of service in which you will engage, ask yourself,

"How does this service reflect or enhance what I am learning/doing in Block 1?"
"What am I LEARNING that I didn't know and how does that learning work to make me a better teacher, community member, citizen, and member of a global society?"

Opportunities for working with adult literacy learners will be explained to you in class.

Once you decide upon the service in which you will engage, please email your INSTRUCTOR (pamela.petty@wku.edu) with the following information:

Your name
A few sentences describing the type(s) of service in which you will participate
An answer to either or both of these questions:
- "How does this service reflect or enhance what I am learning/doing in Block 1?"
- "What am I LEARNING that I didn't know and how does that learning work to make me a better teacher, community member, citizen, and member of a global society?"
Your timeframe for when you will start, the amount of time you expect to spend, etc.
Other information you consider pertinent

REQUIRED Documentation: ELECTRONIC JOURNAL (due at end of semester)

1) your name

2) journal entries that include the times, dates, places and service/engagement in which you participated.

3) you must provide a reflection that tells what YOU LEARNED that will make you a better educator and specifically a better reading teacher.

Point Values for these to be added soon.

Volunteer at a museum

Volunteer for Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts

Volunteer for Big Brother or Big Sister

Volunteer at a nursing home or senior citizens' center Volunteer at the local public library Volunteer at a historical site Volunteer your services to Habitat for Humanity

Adult Literacy Volunteer (see below)

Ask Dr. Petty about Danny.

Sharing the Gift

For most of us being able to read is something we take for granted, but there are thousands of adults in Kentucky (millions nationwide) who are unable to read for information or for pleasure. As an act of social engagement I would like to ask that you consider giving of your time, your heart, and your expertise to an adult learner in your community. Adult Learning facilities exist in almost every city in the state - there should be one within a very short distance from any WKU campus or from where you live. I have been working with adult educators in the state of KY for the last three years to help them be better able to provide sound literacy instruction. In that time I have become painfully aware that volunteer tutors are very hard to find in most locations. Here is your chance to make a difference.

If you accept this challenge you will also be working with me on a research project (details if you are interested). I will make all the arrangements with the Adult Education facility and you would work out your volunteer schedule with the adult educators at that center. My goal is for you to form a bond with ONE adult learner. Our joint goal will be to make a difference in the lives of the people we serve - small or large. This is a serious challenge and not for someone only interested in logging some hours and ticking off some points. Are you up for it? Ready to give back in the same relation that you were willing to accept the good fortune you have in being a literate human being? If so, please fill out the following form and click SUBMIT:

Oh, yeah. If you do this you can get 25 points - and the experience of your life.

pwp

Click HERE to read about working with Danny, fall 2004.