INSTRUCTIONS

Service-learning combine academic studies with community service and are powerful ways for students to create a sense of community, apply classroom learning to the real world, hone critical thinking skills, and develop a sense of personal and civic responsibility while also fostering a sense of belonging to the college. Service-Learning Committee at Oakton College invites students to participate in a capstone exhibit to demonstrate service-learning projects completed as part of the course. This is an opportunity to share with the community your service work, what you learned, the connection to the course topics, and how service-learning has contributed to your student success.  

For Spring 2023, service-learning showcase will take place virtually. Virtual student service showcase will take place via Zoom on Monday May 1st from 12 pm to 2 pm and on Wednesday May 3rd from 2 pm to 4 pm. Students are expected to present for about 8 minutes during the above time window. You will do a Power Point presentation. There will also be about 2 minutes reserved for a question/answer session during which time you may address any questions raised by students and faculty present at the presentation.

The deadline to submit this application is Friday April 21st, 2023.

If you have a time conflict and are unable to present during above dates please email Dr. Nizar Handzic (nhandzic@oakton.edu), so that we can determine if reasonable alternative arrangements can be made.

The PowerPoint presentation should be a mix of words and colored pictures. It should address the following:

1. Engagement – What is the title/description of the service-learning project? Did the service component meet a public good? What was the population you served and what was the “problem” or the main social/environmental justice issue of the work? Post examples you have of your service involvement.

2. Investigation – What research did you complete to better understand the issue and help in the service work? Did you interview participants, use professional sources, utilize social media, internet, other resources? How did your instructor assist you? Partner help you? Post examples/samples of your research methods.

3. Reflection - What method did you use to reflect on your experience? Was this part of a course assignment? Was a rubric involved? Did you blog /photograph your experience? Post examples/samples of your reflections and what you learned.

You will not address the above items on this application. You will address them in the PowerPoint presentation. If your instructor is having you complete the service-learning showcase for credit, they may have alternative items for you to address on the Presentation Board or in the PowerPoint Presentation. If that is the case, please follow the instructions of your instructor when creating the presentation.

After your participation in the service-learning showcase, the service learning committee will email you a Certificate of Participation signed by the college president Dr. Joi Smith. Participation in service learning events is looked favorably on college applications. In addition, you should check with your instructor if any class credit will be given for participation in the student service showcase.  

This application should take you only about 10 minutes to complete.