Service Learning Reflection

While working on the Service learning Project, I have found that I am able to provide professional services that are of use to not only our appointed organization, but various organizations.  The skills that I have acquired thus far in my college career, such as writing and critical thinking/analysis, are transferable to many different fields.  In addition, the Service learning Project has reinforced what I already knew about the importance of volunteering.  Non-Profit organizations aim to provide services for areas of the community that have been affected by unfortunate circumstances.  These organizations cannot afford to pay for the many professional services that are required to successfully operate a business.  Volunteering to help with these services can increase the quality and effectiveness of the organization's mission

While Midland is not my community per se, the characteristics and socioeconomic status associated with it can be found nearly every U.S. city.  There are people that need our help.  The idea of volunteerism should be as universal as its need.  

Team Definition Reflection

I am a member of a group that consists of Julie, Marissa, and myself.  During our initial collaboration and brainstorming session, I felt that the three of us operated well together.  We were respectful of each others ideas and all gave input in one way or another.  

If I had to identify a weakness, I would say that we were a little indecisive.  Each of us possesses leadership qualities, but we were being respectful to the point that no one stepped up to the plate and hammered out decisions.  This indecision is not necessarily a bad thing when it comes to a small project.  Especially when the members are willing to do their share of the work.  On larger projects, however, indecision may prove to be a problem.  In which case it may be beneficial to appoint someone to make final decisions.

Both Julie, and Marissa, understand the importance collaboration in a group setting.  I think this was a strength that we all shared.  We had all worked in a group setting before, although not together, and have experienced bad group members.  No one wanted to be that guy.  Moreover, it was that previous experience that encouraged us to all work together in a civil fashion. 

 

Effective Page Design

Page design is important when it comes to professional documents.  The design is the first thing that a person notices when looking at a document.  Designs give an impression of the document before it is read.  A document that is clean and sharp exudes professionalism.  Documents that are bold and colorful  can give the come off as informal.  If the content of a document contains important information such as financial records or employee notices, it should not be designed like a birthday party flyer.  The design should complement the message that the author is trying to convey.

Furthermore, poor design could lead to the document being discarded before it is read.  The design of a document should draw people into it.  Designs should be appealing to the eye, not gaudy.  I think an individuals personality comes through when he or she designs anything.  Mood can be expressed via color, while attitude can be expressed through content.  Impression is an important concept when it comes to page design.  Even if the author doesn't intend to show his or her personality in a document, the readers of the document will make assumptions based on what they see.

Habitat For Humanity

Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 and has charged to the fore front of creating solutions for worldwide poverty.  Before becoming an established non-profit organization, Habitat for Humanity was just a small concept that was being practiced by Clarence Jones and Millard and Linda Fuller on a small farm in Americus, Georgia.

They began building homes at no-profit, no interest, for people who disparately needed them.  Monies and supplies are raised and donated by supporters.  Any leftover monies and materials went toward the building of the future houses.

Today, through the collaboration of Habitat for Humanity, churches, and community groups, over 500,000 houses for over 1.5 million people in ninety countries worldwide.

In this service learning project, we are helping to spread the message and mission of Habitat for Humanity.  Relaying their message to the public creates awareness, and with awareness we can rally more support.  It is said that many hands make light work.  Respectively, Habitat for Humanity has been working with relatively few hands.  The services that the class is providing for Habitat for Humanity aims to bring more hands to to the work that is being done.

Collaboration Annotated Bibliography

 

Dubner, S. J. (2005, July 5). How Did This Collaboration Work? Retrieved from Freakonomics: http://www.freakonomics.com/2005/07/12/how-did-this-collaboration-work/

Stephen Dubnar talks about how he and fellow Freakonomics co-host Steven Levitt collaborate in order to provide an interesting look at some of life’s nuances that we take for granted.  Mr. Dubnar is a journalist, while Mr. Levitt, is an economist.  This article describes how the two blended their respective professions to create not only one, but two, best-selling books.

Eustice, K. (2012, October 20). Exploring student collaboration in schools - live chat. The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/teacher-network/2012/oct/20/student-collaboration-teachers-schools-live-chat

This article from The Guardian looks at how teachers and student are collaborating to make learning more effective.  I think this article poses an interesting question.  Do students learn more if they actively participate in the academic structuring of a classroom?

TED. (n.d.). Collaboration. Retrieved March 18, 2013, from TED: Ideas Worth Spreading: http://www.ted.com/talks/tags/name/collaboration/page/1

This is one of my favorite websites.  It contains brief and engaging speeches about a wide variety of topics.  Listed here are nearly sixty short, compelling talks on collaboration, filmed live at the TED Conference.  They feature experts from all industries, sharing their work in 18 minutes or less.

Service Learning Annotated Bibliography

Birdsal, J. A. (2003). Community Voice: Community Partners Reflect on Service Learning. Butte College, Career & Employment Services. Retrieved from http://www.mesacc.edu/other/engagement/Journal/Issue5/Birdsall.pdf

This report looks at the benefits of service learning.  It evaluates its effects on the community, organizations, and individual participants.  The report attempts to improve the service learning process through reflection and evaluation.

Cohen, S. W. (2013). Without Limits-National Youth Leadership Council. Denver. Retrieved from http://servicelearningconference.org/2013/

In March of 2013, there will be a National Service Learning Conference in Denver, CO.  The purpose of this conference is to help teachers, administrators, and students explore the benefits and social impacts that service learning can provide.  The message is that real change can come to fruition through service learning

Eby, J. W. (1998). Why Service-Learning Is Bad. Messiah College, Sociology. Retrieved from http://www.greatlakesed.net/Resources/documents/WhyServiceLearningIsBad.pdf

This report addresses how service learning, while generally beneficial, can give inadequate conceptions on needs and service.  Overall, service learning can only make an impact if it is practiced in a focused and efficient manner.

Mistretta, E. (2012, March 11). Service learning helps elementary students see ‘big picture’. Chicago Daily Herald. Retrieved from http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120311/news/703119898/?interstitial=1

This article in the Daily Herald focuses on a school district in Chicago that starts student on a path of service learning at an early age.  Students start as early as kindergarten by participating in food drives.  This continues into middle school, through high school, and ultimately for the rest of their adult lives.

Service Learning Experience

My initial understanding of the service learning project was that we would be providing a quasi-charity service for an organization within the community.  Now that we have progressed into the bulk of the service, I am beginning to see the benefits that we are providing for an organization whose main objective is to help others.  It is a circle of paying it forward.  The skills that we possess as a class are extremely valuable to an organization like Habitat for Humanity

I expected to do some work that would be of little significance.  I thought that our labor would do more to lighten the load of work that the organizations have.  After having a chance to review the organizations current documents, research their cause, and visit the ReStore, I see many ways that we can, and are, helping to project their cause into the lives of the people who need their help.

I was afraid the work we do would be rejected by the organizations that we were trying to help.  After seeing some of our finished products, it is obvious that we possess the skill set to create quality, professional documents.