RE: A thought for the cold winter nights - FINALE

I'd like to echo Patricia's thoughts and urge that this be a place to
"discuss" and "explore" ideas as well as a convenient way to post
announcements to a large group of people interested in service-learning
and/or ask for pragmatic advice about a problem connected to
service-learning.

For example:

For the last few years at the Invisible College's National Gathering,
participants have had the opportunity to identify topics they would like to
focus on in-depth through the Learning Circles format.  Maybe we could begin
to toss out some topics that would be of interest to different groups.  I
know one of my interests would be to explore if or how service-learning in
higher education for adult learners differs from service-learning for
traditional-aged college students.  

Robyn Gibboney
Director of Development
Indiana University School of Nursing
1111 Middle Drive, NU 101
Indianapolis, IN  46202-5107
317-274-4293
317-2742996 (fax)
rgibbone@iupui.edu

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Patricia E. O'Connor [SMTP:oconnorp@gusun.georgetown.edu]
> Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 10:42 AM
> To:   SERVICE LEARNING NETWORK
> Cc:   SERVICE LEARNING NETWORK
> Subject:      Re: A thought for the cold winter nights - FINALE
> 
> Tony,
> I, for one, do wish we discussed issues more often on the list. I think
> that colleges and univeresities do offer opportunities (golden
> ones---reserved often for the well-heeled) for sustained and focused
> exploration of knowledge...but this must be for some point...for the
> further enrichment (not only in the usual capitalistic sense!) of our
> understanding of world--which does include the human element. That human
> element makes for all the intrigue, all that is so hard to explain with
> only an accumulation of facts. Real knowledge must make use of facts,
> findings, doubts about those findings. In service learning, could we be
> accused of jumping into the deep end without learning basic methods for
> floating, for swimming? Therein lies our caution. I think the learning
> part of service learning is hard to manage in our little tiny semester
> sized courses with projects hinged into those 14 week frames
> which flout the life-long frames of the communities in which we
> serve. Getting students to
> stay involved for sustained periods of time in a single service site has
> been my goal, acheived by some few only.
> 
> Reactions to postings of "thought provoking content" do have a range on
> any list. We  all use the lists for many purposes...today I have the time
> for the refelction...other days, I'm a speed reader. Glad your comment
> came through on one of my reflective days.
> 
> For those of you who like to reflect at length on one topic I suggest you
> join us in person at Georgetown University June 8-11,2000 for the
> Invisible
> College's 6th National Gathering on Service Learning in which we have one
> day of informative and interactive workshops and site visits followed by
> sustained conversations in the Learning Circle format that lasts for 2
> days. Fliers to follow! Spaces limited.
> 
> --patricia
> 
> Patricia E. O'Connor, Chair, Invisible College
> Assoc. Prof. English
> 312 New North
> Georgetown University
>               20057
> 202 687 7622 (phone)
> 202 687 5445 (FAX)
> 
> oconnorp@gusun.georgetown.edu