Class activities involve students participating in an organized community service that addresses local needs, while developing students academic skills, sense of civic responsibility and commitment to their community.  Course content incorporates critical/reflective thinking and civic responsibility.  Students plan, implement and participate in a community service project that integrates community service with their academic instruction and personal goals.

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Course Information

Course Title:  Service Learning
Course Number:  10-890-120

Instructor:  Mike Bark
Credits: 1 - 3 credits and are based on the number of project/community service hours, 1 credit = 48 hours,    2 credits = 96 hours and 3 credits = 144 hours.
Required Texts and Materials: There is no textbook required for this class.  However, students will need to maintain a portfolio in a digital file and a 3-ring binder/folder for all course materials, Learning Plan, contract, assignments, etc

HOW TO PROGRESS IN THIS COURSE:

As an on-line student it is critical that you are fully aware that you are responsible for your learning and must adjust your personal schedule to accomplish your Service Learning Project and other class requirements at a pace to complete all 8 Competencies and Service Learning hours within the semester (16 week)  time-frame.  Thus, to be able to accommodate your schedule and meet our school semester limitations,  it is critical that you develop a timeline and personal schedule which will allow you to complete all course competencies and requirements within this semester.  

To help you to get started, I would like you to engage in your learning as soon as possible thru Blackboard in the discussion board, by completing and submitting your Assignments or e-mail correspondence.  If you have not done so yet, please take the time to look thru our course Backboard site and take the Class Orientation Survey/Quiz (found on the Class Information page) before starting Assignment/Competency #1.

• Before starting your Service Learning Project read and obtain appropriate endorsement for your project and Community-Student-WITC Service Learning Partnership Agreement.
• When competing Assignment/Competency Assessments 1-8 in Blackboard, save copies of all of your work prior to sending.  
• Keep track of all the things which you learn or do,  during your Service Learning Project by maintaining a portfolio, taking pictures (if possible) and working closely with your work-site/agency Supervisor (if you have one).
• Document your hours which you have completed and the reflection of your learning (from an Appreciative Learning Perspective) are important things to keep records of.  I suggest that you maintain some form of a diary, log or journal. For your reference a student academic calendar is available at the WITC web site www.witc.edu and is also in the WITC Student Handbook.
• Do not hesitate to contact me if you ever have any questions or problems.

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You may contact Mike Bark using any of the following methods:

1. Email: mike.bark@witc.edu
2. Phone: 715-682-4591 Extension 3177 or toll free 1-800-243-witc Extension 3177.
3. The Blackboard Email
4. On campus in Ashland during office hours or by appointment.
   
   Office: Room 113
   Office Hours: By Arrangement.

To assure a prompt response, please include your course name (Service Learning) in the subject section of your email.  Include your full name on all assignments and Service Learning Project Activities by title, etc in all correspondence with the instructor. Make sure to provide adequate detail in your completed assignments and/or message.

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Software: Windows 95 or higher must be installed on your computer.  This course assumes a complete installation of a Web browser software and its components, and that you have an existing e-mail account and an Internet connection.  

An Internet connection is required to work with this course on-line.  If doing these exercises from home, you will need to be connected through an ISP.  Most schools and businesses will have a live connection to the Internet available at all times which negates the need to dial the ISP.  If you are using America On-line as their ISP, you can use IE or Netscape as their browser when connected through AOL as some Web pages appear best when viewed through IE or Netscape Navigator.     

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Core abilities address broad knowledge or skills that are transferable and go beyond the context of a specific course.  Developing core abilities and applying them while you do your project will help you increase the likelihood of career success.  The core abilities which you will be evaluated on for this class will be assessed by using the WITC Service Learning Core Abilities Rubric in Assignment/Competency #5.  Your assessment will be based on your skills in regards to being able to:

1.  Act responsibly.
2.  Think critically and creatively.
3.  Communicate clearly.
4.  Learn effectively.
5.  Work cooperatively.
6.  Work productively.

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Upon successful completion of this course, the student in accordance with the grading standards will be able to:

1.   Identify a community service need in the local geographical area.

2.  Develop and present a proposal to fulfill such a need.

3.  Actively secure a work/project site or plan a service project which will fill a community need and complement the student's academic instruction.

4.  Complete an individual educational learning plan/objectives with WITC and agency approval.

5.  Display a professional appearance.

6.  Apply soft skills such as:  positive attitude, good communication skills, honesty, ethics, etc.

7.  Demonstrate both oral and written communications skills through a reflective journal and group discussions/dialog.

8.  Maintain and present an organized Service Learning Portfolio.

9.  Identify and discuss current ethical and social issues related to their career goals and the service site.

10.  Provide an oral (if available) and written analysis of the service learning experience. 

Advanced Standing:

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Grading Rationale:*

Grades will be determined by your completing the pre-determined required project hours, course competencies and assignments:  Learning Plan, Placement Agreement, Discussion Board Participation, assessment activities and portfolio.  As well as completing the class core abilities assessment rubric by both yourself and work-site/project supervisor.  Final grades will be based on the following criteria:

50% Based on successful completion of the Student's Learning Plan, Placement Agreement, Assessment Activities and all Blackboard Assignment.
25%  Participation in Discussion Board Critical Thinking Assignments.
25%  Portfolio (with all required course content, journal, etc).

*100%

*Please note that all required hours for your Service Learning Project must be documented and validated.  Your final grade will be adjusted accordingly if you do not successfully complete the required hours and complete all 8 Competencies for this course.

Students are also encouraged to refer to the current WITC Student Handbook regarding grading criteria (also see chart below) and other important course communications regarding your course assessment, school policies and grading.
 

WITC Grading Scale:

Students who want to drop or audit the class should contact the Registration office and their Instructor.  Students who audit the class may choose to participate in all class assignments & activities, but do not receive a grade.

Please refer to the College Academic Calendar for important dates for changing status or withdrawing from a class as well dates for competing all course requirements.

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Attendance

Attendance is important!  For it reflects your responsibility and dependability.  It is critical that you maintain a log or journal which identifies your project work schedule and activities which you completed.  All hours as required for this course must be documented and approved by your project supervisor.  Because you are enrolled in a web-based course and a Work-based Learning educational delivery method, attendance can not be directly observed as compared to a traditional class situation. However, I would like you to keep in contact with me on a weekly basis. It is your responsibility to maintain a pace/work schedule that will allow you to successfully complete this class within the semester you are registered. 

WITC semesters are 16 weeks in length. If you register at the beginning of the semester you will then have 16 weeks to complete all the required hours, paperwork and class activities for this course.  If you register later in the semester, you must realize that you will have to work that much harder to complete the required course content by the end of the semester.  While on the other hand, if your work hard and complete all the course requirements, you are officially done with the class when you finish all class requirements. 

If I do not receive assignments or communication from you on a regular basis I will contact you by e-mail or refer your name to a counselor to contact you to see if there is anything we can do to help you with any personal issues and help you succeed by getting you on-track and able to complete the course within the established timeline.

ALL COURSE ASSIGNMENTS/ASSESSMENTS, PORTFOLIO AND VALIDATED PROJECT HOURS MUST BE SUBMITTED PRIOR TO THE LAST CLASS DAY OF THE SEMESTER IN WHICH YOU REGISTERED FOR THIS CLASS. 

Other dates of interest may be found on the WITC Academic Calendar

A grade of Incomplete "I" will not be given for this course.  If a student has made significant progress, and extenuating circumstances prevent course completion, the student should notify me so other arrangements may be made.

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Special Needs Services

If you feel that you would like help, need a tutor, or may have a question or concern, please contact me as soon as possible.

If it is convenient and you live close to the WITC Ashland campus, visit me in person on campus. Otherwise call me at (715) 682-4591 ext 3177 or 1-800-243-witc ext 3177. If I am not at my desk, please leave a message. As you know, you can also send me an e-mail message at mike.bark@witc.edu.

WITC Equal Opportunity Statement

WITC is an equal opportunity employer/educator functioning under an affirmative action plan and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color national origin, sex, disability, or any other legislated categories in its services, employment programs and/or educational programs and activities. This includes but is not limited to admissions, treatment, and access. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscriminatory, Title IX, Section 504 and Title VII policies:

Contact the WITC Affirmative Action Officer/Title IX, Section 504 & Title VII Coordinator WITC Administrative Office 505 Pine Ridge Drive Shell Lake, WI 54871 715-468-2815 ext 2225.

WITC Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made to ensure access to academic programs, activities, services and employment in accordance with 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 Standards.

Persons requiring accommodation should contact a WITC campus Student Services Center or Ms. Sandra Sutter, Affirmative Action Officer at least 14 days in advance of needed assistance. Please view WITC's services for Special Needs.

Safety

Please be extremely careful and safety conscious when doing your Service Learning Project.  If you or anyone you may be working has an accident or is injured, contact your site supervisor and myself immediately!  Also be aware that the internet is not a closed communication system and that not all data may be correct. Be cautious about giving out personal information when visiting sites and surfing the "net" whether you are doing an activity as a part of this class, for business, or leisure.

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Is web-based education for you?

Distance learning is NOT for everyone. To see if you have the tools for success is this virtual environment for learning, by taking the: Is Web-Based Education for You assessment. 

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The very nature of higher education requires that students adhere to accepted standards of academic integrity. Therefore, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College has adopted a Student Code of Conduct and an Acceptable Internet Use Agreement. These may be found in the WITC  Student Catalog and Handbook.  Among the violations of academic integrity are: cheating, plagiarism, falsification and fabrication, abuse of academic materials, complicity in academic dishonesty, falsification of records and official documents, personal misrepresentation and proxy, and bribes, favors, and threats. 

Prior to your participating in the Discussion Board Assignment/Activities please read and always apply the identified Discussion Board Ground Rules. It is your responsibility to be aware of behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty. Pursuant to the due process guarantees contained in the Policy and Procedures on Student Academic Integrity.

Users of the college's and/or your worksite technology facilities and resources are expected to use these resources responsibly and appropriately, respecting the rights of other users and respecting all contractual and license agreements.

Copying software is in violation of Federal law and College policies. You do not have the right to make copies of software for yourself or others and receive and use unauthorized copies of software.

The WITC software and computer use policies are set forth in the WITC Student Catalog and Handbook.  You are responsible for reading and following the rules as stated in the Catalog and Handbook.  For your convenience, WITC has links providing assistance to students on technology matters.  They are WITC's Helpful Web Links and WITC Technology Tips.

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WITC provides technical support help desk for all on-line students thru Ms. Mary Hansen.  She can be contacted by email at mahansen@witc.edu or by calling 800-243-witc extension 7300.

Typical issues include:

• Forgotten password
• Difficulties logging in
• Unable to access pages
• Server errors

If you have problems and can't get help, please contact me immediately.

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WITC's web policy requires a link to the WITC's Web Site.

Home Page Disclaimer

The individual web pages of WITC staff and faculty do not in any way constitute official WITC content. The views and opinions expressed in these pages are strictly those of the page authors and comments on the contents of those pages should be directed to the page authors.

Link Disclaimer

When you leave WITC's web space to visit other sites, WITC will not accept any responsibility for the contents of those sites.

I SINCERELY HOPE YOU ENJOY THE COURSE

and

YOUR SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT!!!

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