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Click here for the service-learning web-based student application

Right now you are probably in one of two camps – you either are passionate about service-learning and are actively seeking more information, or you haven’t yet experienced service-learning and aren’t quite sure what to expect.  Just like everything in life – most times you gain from an experience what you put into that experience.  So open your eyes, mind, and heart to what awaits – it could just change your life!

Research shows that we tend to remember:

• 10% of what we read
• 20% of what we hear
• 30% of what we see

However, we remember 90% of what we both say and do.  The process of active experience combined with talking and thinking about what we did and learned from the activity results in learning that sticks! 

When you take a course, your teacher wants you to learn the course materials – new concepts, new ideas, new information and ways of thinking.  Many faculty realize that simply sitting in a classroom listening to lectures and taking notes doesn’t result in optimum learning and are therefore utilizing experiential or active learning techniques to help students gain more from their class time. 

In addition, there is a growing understanding that the fundamental purpose of education is to prepare students to be effective citizens who will be successful not only in their professional lives, but also in their public lives.  Educators are increasingly aware that our democratic society depends on individual citizens who are well informed, actively involved, and are genuinely concerned with the common good.  A good citizen cares about her community, and is actively involved in working to make her community a better place.  

Service-learning combines the best of active learning and citizenship by connecting classroom learning with service projects that help the community.  Teachers all over the country are involving their students in course-related service projects and asking their students to write, speak, research, and think critically about their service projects and what they are learning in the classroom. 

In service-learning, students participate in service, but are graded based on the learning they demonstrate in the assignments their faculty member gives them.  Faculty members provide reflection assignments - such as keeping a journal, doing research, making presentations, or completing writing projects—that ask students to make connections between lectures and textbooks, and their service project. 

At first, the idea of completing service-learning may seem overwhelming.  But keep in mind that the community sites are extremely flexible, and most are willing to make accommodations to fit your schedule.  Starting early is key – give yourself every opportunity to work in your service hours, even if it is only one hour a week over the course of the semester.  Weekend and evening opportunities are available and including your family in the service is an option with many agencies.

Service-Learning Web-based Application Instructions

All students participating in service-learning should use the web-based application system.   The system is managed by the Center for Community Involvement so if you have any problems contact your campus office (see below). 

1. Go to www.mdc.edu/cci and click on “SERVICE-LEARNING WEB-BASED STUDENT APPLICATION.”
2. Enter your “myMDC AccountID” and your “Password” (Note: A more detailed user guide is available by selecting “Help” next to where you entered your password).
3. Select “Start New Application.”
4. Select the class for which you are participating in service-learning, and complete any missing information about yourself (gender, cell, e-mail address).
5. Select “Proceed to Agency Selection.”
6.  Select the agency where you will do service-learning.

Note: If you choose an agency that isn’t listed (or if you aren’t sure which agency you are going to choose), select “If your desired agency is not listed, check box and fill out this form.”  Print the form (“Service-Learning Site Approval Form”) and submit it with your “Placement Confirmation Agreement” at a later date (Note:  All Miami-Dade County Public Schools are approved placements – and therefore you do not need the “Site Approval Form” if you participate at a public school).

7. Once you have chosen your agency, select “Submit Application & Finish.”
8. Print the “Service-Learning Placement Confirmation Agreement,” take it to the agency where you are going to complete your hours, and fill it out with your supervisor.
9. Submit the signed “Service-Learning Placement Confirmation Agreement” to your professor or your campus Center for Community Involvement (if instructed by your professor) no later than your professor’s deadline so your placement can be changed from “Pending” to “Approved.”    Deadline:_________________
10. Print the two-page “Student Service-Learning Hour Report” / “Agency Evaluation of Student” by clicking on the link provided.  With these forms, keep track of your hours, and have your supervisor complete the evaluation form at the end of your service.  Both of these forms must be submitted by your professor’s deadline (generally two weeks before the end of the term).  Deadline:__________________
11. Return to www.mdc.edu/cci and click on “SERVICE-LEARNING WEB-BASED STUDENT APPLICATION” to complete the end of semester “Survey” no later than two weeks before the end of the semester.  Deadline:____________________ (This survey is submitted ON-LINE.)

*In order to ensure that you receive credit for your project, all paperwork must be submitted on time!!!*

Questions: Contact the Center for Community Involvement ( www.mdc.edu/cci/contact.asp)

InterAmerican Campus: Rm 1217, 305-237-6734 / Tonya.Thomas@mdc.edu (Tonya Thomas)

Kendall/Homestead Campus: Rm 6219 Kendall, 305-237-0859 / ohanauer@mdc.edu (Ossie Hanauer)

North/Hialeah Campus: Rm, 1159, 305-237-1820 / rdavilma@mdc.edu (Rose Davilmar)

Wolfson/Medical Campus: Rm 3410 Wolfson, 305-237-3848 / tramos@mdc.edu (Tamica Ramos)

Community service is defined as the engagement of students in activities that primarily focus on the service being provided as well as the benefits the service activities have on the recipients.  The students receive some benefits by learning more about how their service makes a difference in the lives of the service recipients.

Internships are defined as programs that engage students in service activities primarily for the purpose of providing students with hands-on experiences that enhance their learning or understanding of issues relevant to a particular area of study.

Service-learning programs are distinguished from other approaches to experiential education as the outcome is to benefit the provider and the recipient of the service equally as well as to ensure equal focus on both the service being provided and the learning that is occurring.
(Andrew Furco’s ”Service-Learning: A Balanced Approach to Experimental Education” Expanding Boundaries: Serving and Learning.  Washington DC: Corporation for National Service, 1996. 2-6)