Before moving on to the next step of designing an SL course, I would like to offer up some tips to follow to build strong relationships with Community Partners so that the student project will go a lot smoother. If there is not a good relationship with the chosen partners the students will suffer the consequences and the desired learning objectives will not be accomplished meaning a miserable experience for all concerned. Consider doing the following:
1. Know something about the agency or organization before meeting with those who may be interested in doing a SL project.
2. Go to the meeting with some idea about how the agency and your course could successfully form a partnership.
3. Meet agency or organization partners at their offices as often as you invite them to yours.
4. Always be sure to ask the agency or organization what their current needs are – don’t assume that they are necessarily in a position to create a partnership at the exact moment you are suggesting.
5. Be flexible. SL projects do not take place in a controlled environment like the classroom; because they take place in the community situations may arise where the initial plan of action has to be modified or revised to ultimately complete the project.
6. Value the experiences and knowledge of community partners. Consult with them and invite them to be part of classroom discussions and reflections.
7. Refrain from considering the community as your laboratory – it is the place where you live as well. The laboratory mentality suggests superiority of the university system and reinforces a server-recipient paradigm.
8. Communicate with your agency or organization partner regularly during the planning process as well as during and after the course.
9. Be up front in the commitment you can and are willing to make to the agency or organization. Do not promise long-term partnerships if a semester is all you can truly commit to at the moment. You might want to portray it as a “pilot” to give yourself clear option to end the partnership at end of the semester.
10. Make efforts to know the agency or organization inside and out. Spend time volunteering there so that you can get to know the assets of the staff and clientele.
11. Do not be afraid to ask questions.
12. Remember reciprocity, mutuality, and asset-based community building.
13. Celebrate achievements and relationships together at the end of the project.
14. Have fun and be ready to both teach and learn.
In tomorrow's post I will cover what is arguably the most important aspect of any SL course -- student reflection!
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