NUI Galway Service Learning – Literacy Project for US Study Abroad Students
Structure and Duration of the Course – EN150.I
- 9 weeks of 2 hour lectures (beginning Monday October 5th)
- 9 weeks of 1 hour tutorials
- 7 weeks of work experience in homework clubs
- Academic support – weekly consultation by appointment
- Awarding of certificates and reception for primary and secondary school children in NUI Galway (Week 9)
- Lecture times: Monday 10-12; Venue CA101 Lecture Hall 1 (Cairnes Business School) Tutorial times: Friday 11-12; 12-1 (Room 302, 1st Fl)
Weekly contact hours:
2 hours lectures; 1 hour tutorial; 1.5 hours community engagement + 6 hours preparation
Lecturer: Mr Dermot Burns
Class size: 30 students
Assessment (5 credit course)
- Attendance 10%
- Class participation 10%
- Essay (in class) 30%
- Work Experience Portfolio 50%
Outline of Course
Week 1/9 Lecture: Introduction to Service Learning
Tutorial: Case studies and group work
Week 2/9 Lecture: Introduction to Theory of Literacy Learning
Tutorial: Case studies and group work and preparation for work
experience
Week 3/9 Lecture: Teaching and Learning – Methods and Skills.
Tutorial: Portfolio preparation and discussion of work
experience
WORK EXPERIENCE BEGINS
Week 4/9 Lecture: Reading: Theory, Skills and Learning Strategies
Tutorial: Progress reports from work experience and practical work on
reading strategies
Week 5/9 Lecture: Writing: Theory, Skills and Learning Strategies
Tutorial: Progress reports from work experience and practical work on
writing strategies
Week 6/9 Lecture: Creating a Work Experience Portfolio
Tutorial: Portfolio workshop and advice session
Week 7/9 Lecture: Advice on In-Class Essay Topics and Essay Technique
Tutorial: Essay advice
Week 8/9 Lecture: In-class essay
Tutorial: Review of learning and preparation for reception of primary and
secondary school children next week
Week 9/9 Lecture: Review of Literacy Module and Future Opportunities in this
Area of Work
Tutorial: Submission of final portfolios, review activities and discussion
of future opportunities to work inrelated fields
WORK EXPERIENCE ENDS Reception and Presentation of Certificates for primary and secondary school children involved in the project
NEW PROGRAM: NUI Galway Service Learning Course in Literacy Learning and Teaching If you are interested in working with local Galway people, as well as fellow student volunteers, and helping children to develop their literacy skills by supporting homework clubs, this could be the course for YOU! It would be particularly beneficial for those students thinking about careers in teaching, psychology or social work; you don't have to be especially devoted to any of these areas of study to gain a lot of valuable experience from the course.