January 7-8, 2010
Kirk Alumni Center, Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont
Vermont Campus Compact
Problem-Based Service-Learning is a pedagogy that organizes teaching and learning around a community problem or a research question developed in partnership with the community. Well-designed community projects integrated into a course allow students to gain deeper understanding of academic content while applying their learning to real world issues.
Students become more engaged in their learning as they see first-hand how they can use acquired knowledge to meet community needs. Additionally, students learn to collaborate, problem-solve and make connections between theory and larger social issues, enriching both personal and civic development.
PBSL allows faculty to achieve their course learning objectives while engaging students and serving the community. Many faculty members feel that integrating service-learning into their curriculum stimulate their students to learn content material on a deeper level, while building stronger relationships among students, the faculty member and the community.
The Institute consists of two days of highly interactive sessions.
Participants will be introduced to Problem-Based Service-Learning and engaged in curriculum redesign or development with support and feedback from facilitators and peers. Participants will leave the
January 7-8, 2010
Tom Redden is Associate Professor of History and Politics at Southern Vermont College in Bennington, Vermont and has been using service-learning in his courses for over 10 years.
Kelly Young is on the faculy at Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont. Kelly has 10 years experience designing and teaching PBSL courses, developing community partnerships (long- and short-term) and connecting community partnerships to the curriculum.
Both Tom and Kelly are members of the Northern New England Faculty Consultant Program and are Problem-Based Service-Learning Institute alumni. They are available for on-campus service-learning consultations.
Please complete the Institute Application form and send electronically to clower@middlebury.edu. Payment $150 for Campus Compact members or $225 for non-members, should be sent under separate cover to the address below and must arrive by November 20, 2009. Please make checks payable to “Vermont Campus Compact.” For credit card payments visit the PBSL page on www.vtcampuscompact.org for the form. No refunds after December 1, 2009.
Send application and payment by November 20, 2009 to:
Cheryl Whitney Lower
Vermont Campus Compact, Marbleworks Complex
152 Maple St., Suite G-1, Middlebury, VT 05753
802.443.2507 clower@middlebury.edu
Cost: The cost of the Institute is $150 for Campus Compact members and $225 for non-members. This fee covers breakfasts, lunches and snacks on Thursday and Friday, as well as a copy of Problem Based Service-Learning: A Fieldguide for Making a Difference in Higher Education. Dinner on Thursday night is on your own, but please feel welcome to join Institute facilitators and participants at a local Middlebury restaurant.
Accommodations: Accommodations are available at the Middlebury Inn. A block of rooms has been reserved at a discount rate, but you must call the Inn at (802) 388-4961 to reserve your room. To guarantee a room and receive the discount rate, please call the Middlebury Inn by December 18, 2009 and mention Vermont Campus Compact. Rates are $95 for a single and
$110 for a double.
Directions to Kirk Alumni Center at Middlebury College from Route 7
From the South: Travel Route 7 North into Middlebury. As you approach the town square and the Middlebury Inn, bear left around the square following signs for Route 125 West. Turn left onto Main Street or Route 125. At the fork, follow signs for Route 30. After passing the Arts Center and the field house complex on your left, turn left onto Golf Course Road. Bear right to the top of the hill. Parking areas are located to the right and left of Kirk Alumni Center.
From the North: Travel Route 7 South into Middlebury. Go through one set of lights. At the large white Congregational Church, turn right into the center of town. You will be on Route 125 West. Follow directions from above to Kirk Alumni Center.
Institute Facilitators
Logistics
This institute was one of the most powerful training programs in which I have participated. I especially appreciated the concrete examples and case studies, which gave me ideas for modifying my own courses immediately, the practical
suggestions for developing partnerships between institutions of higher education and community organizations, and meeting colleagues at other institutions of higher education in Vermont with whom I have stayed in contact.
—Tom Hudspeth, Professor, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, UVM
Learn More ...
For additional information, please contact Cheryl Whitney Lower at 802.443.2507 or clower@middlebury.edu.
Additional brochures and application forms are available on the Vermont Campus Compact Web site: www.vtcampuscompact.org.
Please complete this application and return by November 20, 2009. Space may be limited for this institute. If necessary, preference will be given to faculty from Vermont institutions.
Name_____________________________________________________ Institution___________________________________________________
Title _____________________________________________________ Department _________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Phone____________________________________________________ E-mail_______________________________________________________
Contact information where you may be reached and receive mail during December/January if different from
above: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
How many years have you been teaching in higher education? _________
How many years have you been at your current institution? ___________
Please let us know about any special needs. ______________________________________________________________
Please complete this application and send electronically to clower@middlebury.edu. A Word document
of this application is available at www.vtcampuscompact.org. Payment of $150 for Campus Compact members or $225 for non-members (checks payable to Vermont Campus Compact or use credit card form available online) should be sent under separate cover and arrive by Friday, November 20, 2009. No refunds after December 1, 2009.
Please send application and payment to:
Cheryl Whitney Lower
Vermont Campus Compact
152 Maple Street, Suite G-1
Middlebury, Vermont 05753
E-mail: clower@middlebury.edu
Tel.: 802.443.2507
Problem-Based Service-Learning Institute Application
Vermont Campus Compact
Please answer the following questions:
1. List the courses you are currently teaching. Indicate which of these, if any, are service-learning courses.
If appropriate, please also indicate service-learning courses you have taught in the past.
2. Why do you want to participate in this program? What do you hope to gain from participation in the PBSL Institute? What do you hope your students and/or your community will gain from your participation?
3. What support for service-learning currently exists on your campus (institutionally and culturally)?
4. What role might you play on your campus to promote service-learning and community collaboration?
5. What community issues are important to you? What, if any, community organizations are you involved with, for instance as a volunteer or board member?
If possible, please include an indication of support from your Chief Academic Officer or Department Chair.
(This may be a letter, a short paragraph, or at the least, a signature.)
