Claire W. Schooley was the director of the Alameda County Service-Learning Partnership Project, as well as manager of the Education Grants Resource Center at the Alameda County Office of Education in Hayward, California. Claire is a credentialed teacher and administrator. She has been involved in service-learning planning and implementation projects with schools throughout Alameda County.

Evan Goldberg is coordinator for service-learning at the Alameda County Office of Education. He works with teachers and community members to help teachers understand service-learning as a teaching strategy and to assist them in implementing successful service-learning projects. Evan is a credentialed teacher and administrator.

Comments or questions: slcourse@acoe.k12.ca.us

The website serves as your "virtual textbook" with streaming video, lecture notes, assignments, tools, forms, discussion questions, readings, internet Course Information, and a variety of other materials that will instruct you in the theory and practice of the service-learning teaching strategy.

The website is flexible in its use. You can:

• Print pages and mail/fax them back to the instructor
• Download pages as rich text format files (rtf) and send them to your instructor as attachments
• Copy assignments and paste them into e-mails

If you have any questions regarding the materials and their use, you can e-mail your instructor at :
slcourse@acoe.k12.ca.us.

Course Number: TED 7300
Units: 3 Quarter Units
Instructors: Claire Schooley and Evan Goldberg
E-mail: slcourse@acoe.k12.ca.us
Telephone: (510) 670-4233
Fax: (510) 670-4578
Address: 313 W. Winton Ave., Hayward, CA 94544-1198

Course Description

"An Introduction to Service-Learning" is designed for two basic purposes: first to give the student a detailed understanding of the service-learning teaching strategy, including definitions, fundamental concepts, and best practices. Second, the goal is to enable the student to begin using service-learning in his or her own classroom or community. The goals of the course are to change both attitude and behavior.

"An Introduction to Service-Learning" endeavors to teach the fundamental aspects of quality service-learning: curriculum integration, needs assessment, collaboration and partnering, reflection, assessment, risk management, youth voice, and recognition.

For Best Results
This virtual course in service-learning has a number of practices which will yield the best learning for you, the student. We suggest:

• Watch the Videos: The videos introduce you to each topic and give important conceptual information.
• "Go to the Website": Each of the internet sessions begins with a page which is titled, "Start Here." This is where you will find an overview on each lesson.
• Spend Time on the Website: You will find the following links in each session:
  • Lecture Notes: An overview of the video and its content.
  • Assignments / Activities: Work you need to complete to enhance your understanding of the service-learning teaching strategy.
  • Tools and Forms: Things you can use to help you implement service-learning
  • Discussion Questions: E-mail between you and the instructor to check on your understanding of various concepts and to provide a link for discussion of concepts and issues. You are also encouraged to ask questions here.
  • Related Internet Sites: Related sites come in two categories: sites related to service- learning or particular subjects in service-learning AND sites that help teach social issues. Both are provided as a resource. Let us know what sites you visit and the degree they help you implement service-learning.
  • Readings: Readings are selected to pursue topics at a deeper level. Many of these essays explore the philosophical underpinnings of service-learning.

Course Requirements

In order to receive a passing grade, students must fulfill all of the following criteria: Credit/no credit options are available.

Students must satisfactorily complete all assignments under the Assignments/Activities links in Sessions 1-8.
Students must respond to questions under the Discussion Questions links in Sessions 1-8.
Students must earn a satisfactory grade on their Service-Learning Project Planning Guide (found under Session 2: Assignments/Activities)

Communicating with the Instructors

Assignments and communication with course instructors can take place through a variety of methods.

E-mail: Assignments can be e-mailed as rtf (rich text format) attachments or as text within your e-mails.
Fax: Assignments can be faxed to instructors at (510) 670-4578.
U.S. Mail: Assignments can be mailed to instructors care of :

"An Introduction to Service-Learning"
Alameda County Office of Education
313 W. Winton Ave.
Hayward, CA 94544-1198

Session Topics

Session #1: The Meaning of Service-Learning
Session #2: Curriculum Integration
Session #3: Meeting Community Needs
Session #4: Collaboration and Partnering
Session #5: Reflection
Session #6: Implementation and Programmatic Issues
Session #7: Youth Voice and Recognition
Session #8: Assessment and Evaluation