Service Learning Orientation PAC

Palo Alto College
Student Service Learning

Orientation
Created by the S.H.A.R.E. Center and Healthy

Hub for use in service learning courses
Orientation Outline
∙ What Is Service Learning?
∙ Why Use Service Learning?
∙ Choosing your Site
∙ Student Expectations
∙ Tracking Hours
∙ Contacting Your Community Partner
∙ Health and Safety Considerations
NOTE: This orientation is not a substitute for any orientation or training that your partner organization requires
What is Service Learning?
∙ Service learning at PAC combines classroom instruction with

community service to strengthen our community (Palo Alto College Service
Learning Task Force, 2017)
∙ A type of experiential learning—learning by doing
∙ Widely recognized as a high-impact practice (HIP) for improving

student learning and retention (AAC&U, 2008; NSSE, 2007; Kuh, 2007)
What is Service Learning?
Service learning is not volunteering
∙ Volunteering is not usually linked to academic

instruction or specific learning outcomes, nor does
it emphasize critical reflection. Community
Service
∙ Service learning is service designed to connect to

students’ academic instruction. Critical reflection is Academic Critical
Reflection
emphasized. Instruction
Figure 1: Key elements of service

learning
Why Use Service Learning?
Benefits to Students: Benefits to Community:
• Increases awareness of current • Provides essential human
issues related to subject resources and assistance
• Improves critical thinking and • Fosters reciprocal partnerships with
interpersonal skills college
• Develops civic responsibility • Provides different skills for solving
community issues
• Provides opportunity for career
exploration and resume building
Adapted from Robinson, G. (2017). Creating High-Quality Service Learning Opportunities. Presentation, Palo Alto College.
Why Use Service Learning?
Learning Outcomes
PAC Institutional Learning Outcomes

Service learning provides students an
opportunity to address many of PAC’s
Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs).
Palo Alto College. (2019). Institutional Learning Outcomes.

Choosing Your Site
Things to consider:
• Logistical Fit: Can you realistically meet the requirements for the site? (times/dates of service
activities, location and transportation, age requirements, etc.)
• Fit with Organization: What are your interests, strengths, and values? What community issue is
important to you? What organizations would allow you to use these strengths and interests?
• Career Interests: Can you explore a career field you are interested in or to build a skill for your
resume?
Additional resources: To learn more about your best fit, take the Pathways of Public Service and Civic
Engagement diagnostic (in your Canvas Course)
Student Expectations – Documents & Procedures
Students must complete the following before beginning their service
• Palo Alto College Service Learning Agreement (students under 18 will need approval from a
parent/guardian)
• Alamo Colleges District General Participation Waiver (students under 18 will need approval
from a parent/guardian)
• Any other training or orientation required by the community organization.
If you have any questions or concerns about your ability to participation in service learning, talk with your
instructor. There may be options to participate in service learning remotely.
Student Expectations – Behavior, Communication
Student Responsibilities in Service Learning Placements Include:
• Be an engaged learner • Pay attention to site closures
• Make a difference and be reflective • Dress appropriately to the situation
• Always be respectful and positive • Respect confidentiality
• Be punctual, responsible, and accountable • Be flexible
• Call if you anticipate being late or absent • Ask for help when in doubt
Adapted from Michigan State University Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement. (2015). Student Responsibilities in MSU
Service-Learning Placements. Service-Learning Toolkit.
Student Expectations – Tracking Hours
• Students are responsible for tracking Palo Alto College – Service Learning
Volunteer Hours
their service hours on a form used by Student Name: ________________________

Course Number & Section: ______________
Banner ID: __________ Course Instructor: _____________
Service Learning Site: __________________________________
the partner site or the SHARE Center
(see photo) Date Duties Performed Time
In
Time
Out
Supervisor’s
Printed Name
Supervisor’s
Signature
Ex: Cleaning, serving 12:00 12:30 John Smith
12/30 lunch, tutoring P.M. P.M.
• Keep your form safe and ensure your students
site supervisor signs it after every

service opportunity
• Have a plan for completing hours to

ensure you are able to finish your
required hours
• Record your hours in AlamoSync to add

to your co-curricular transcript
Contacting Your Community Partner
• Call instead of email (unless partner informs you otherwise)
• Ask to speak with your community partner
• Clearly introduce yourself (share basic info about yourself, such as your name, that you’re a
PAC student, and what service learning class you are part of)
• Ask questions (you should know the following)
– Where to meet
– Specific directions to get to the organization
– Parking instructions
– Check-in procedures
– What to bring/wear
– Preferred method of communication
– Confirm the time and date of service activities
• Inform instructor if unable to reach partner.
Adapted from Eisenhauer, M.J. (2011). Template: Contacting Your Agency. Charting the Course for Service-Learning:
From Curriculum Considerations to Advocacy A Faculty Development Workbook.
On Site: Student Health & Safety Considerations
Health and safety considerations for students serving at partner sites include:
• Practice good hygiene (wash hands frequently, pull • Use the buddy system (travel in pairs or small groups
back hair, keep distance from sick individuals) if possible)
• Report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect • Leave dangerous items and valuables at home
(direct concerns to supervisor at the community (leave cigarettes matches pocketknives, weapons at
partner site) home. Valuables should not be left in plain site in a
car.)
• Be aware of personal space (do not initiate hugs,
pats on the back, etc.) • Lock your car
• Be aware of surroundings (be attentive to immediate • Call police in threatening situations (if there is a
surroundings, avoid distractions) threatening situation, leave the area and get to a safe
place. Immediately call police by dialing 9-1-1.)
Adapted from Michigan State University Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement. (2015). Student Health & Safety
Considerations. Service-Learning Toolkit.
Remember—be flexible.
Service learning may be new to
you. At times it may be messy,
unpredictable, or uncomfortable.
For general questions about this Orientation or service learning, contact Hunter Bates,
Student Success Coordinator at the S.H.A.R.E. Center.
Hunter Bates
Student Success Coordinator
Student Center, Room 101
(210) 486-3198
[email protected]
Thanks.

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Palo Alto College

Student Service Learning

Created by the S.H.A.R.E. Center and Healthy

∙ Service learning at PAC combines classroom instruction with

∙ A type of experiential learning—learning by doing

∙ Widely recognized as a high-impact practice (HIP) for improving

∙ Volunteering is not usually linked to academic

∙ Service learning is service designed to connect to

Figure 1: Key elements of service

PAC Institutional Learning Outcomes

Palo Alto College. (2019). Institutional Learning Outcomes.

• Any other training or orientation required by the community organization.

• Be an engaged learner • Pay attention to site closures

• Make a difference and be reflective • Dress appropriately to the situation

• Always be respectful and positive • Respect confidentiality

• Be punctual, responsible, and accountable • Be flexible

their service hours on a form used by Student Name: ________________________

site supervisor signs it after every

• Have a plan for completing hours to

• Record your hours in AlamoSync to add

• Inform instructor if unable to reach partner.

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