Area 1: Goals:

The purpose of this service-learning program has been to:

• have students integrate and apply their computer and internet knowledge by teaching it to others;
• have students discover the value of helping those in need in their community;
• reinforce the merits of a modern public school education with a segment of the community-in this case, senior citizens.

The program also aligns with N.J. Core Curriculum Content Technology Literacy standards, including the following:

• 8.1.4.B.2: Recognize and practice responsible social and ethical behaviors when using technology
• 8.1.4.B.5: Recognize the need for accessing and using information
• 8.1.4.B.6: Use web browsers and search engines to obtain information to solve real world problems
• 8.1.4.B.9: Solve problems collaboratively
• 8.1.8.B.4: Describe and practice safe internet usage
  
  

Area 2: Activities:

The computer education teacher integrates instruction of computer and web basics into the course of study for fifth or sixth grade students. They are also instructed on the components and value of service-learning, and role play instruction within their class.

Senior citizens interested in joining the program are recruited locally with the help of the Hazlet Recreation Cullen Center. The Hazlet Board of Education offers assistance with transportation to Beers Street School. Seniors are given a personalized survey finding out their level of computer knowledge, interests and objectives. Students analyze the surveys and are each (or in pairs) assigned to an adult student.

For eight to ten consecutive weeks, the adult students are given about an hour of instruction by Beers Street students first on computer basics (word processing, spreadsheets, importing graphics), then on Internet use (searches, email, attachments). Finally, they create with their student teacher a project that they agree upon. For example, one group created digital postcards using the school's digital camera and page layout software.

Area 3: Outside Resources:

NJ Coalition for Service-Learning grant (materials 2002-)
Hazlet Township Recreation Cullen Center (advertising, coordination)
Beers Street Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization (refreshments)
Hazlet Township Board of Education (transportation)

Area 4: Evaluation:

The feedback from the teacher has been that students are more motivated to learn the necessary computer skills in order to be competent to teach their adult students; they also have become adept at planning, teaching, modifying, and organizing.

The feedback from Beers Street students is that they have come to appreciate what it is like to be a beginner and to form friendships with learners of another generation. They agree that it helped them master computer skills, and even learned new ones in order to tailor their lessons to the individial needs of their adult students.

The feedback from the adult participants has been extremely positive in three respects:

• They felt that the personalized instruction benefited them in the ways they needed
• They were very impressed with their student teachers, both in terms of ability and socially
• They were impressed with the school and district for reaching out to their segment of the community at no cost to them
  

Newspaper articles covering the program helped promote a positive reaction from the greater community for the educational services provided.

Area 5: Stability:

This will be the third year of the program, and all components remain the same, with the exception of the Service-Learning Grant, which was intended as seed money. Basic supplemental funding is now provided exclusively by the Parent-Teacher Organization. The computer teacher, Mrs. Mona Tobia, continues to be the advisor and to incorporate the essential elements of the program into the curriculum.

Area 6: Endorsements:

The program is very well supported by the Board of Education, which represents both district interests and the community. They have offered financial and logistical support, and former members of the Board have actually participated in the program.

The Hazlet Board of Recreation continues to be a resource for contacting members of the community who might benefit from the program, and for providing constructive feedback (which so far has been all positive) to help us improve instruction.

Statements:

The program has proven to be a great success. There are significant benefits for students and seniors. My students were able to strengthen their computer skills by teaching what they have learned to others. They formed relationships with the senior partners and displayed sensitivity and kindness. Seniors shared experiences about the technological advances they had seen during their lifetime.

The seniors learned a skill that they would not have had an opportunity to learn otherwise. They truly enjoyed the opportunity to work with the sixth grade students. The seniors were amazed by how adept the children were on the computers. They were very pleased to be welcomed into our school and to meet and work with the students, teachers and administrators. Most participants requested to be notified when we resume the program this year so that they could be involved again.

Mrs. Mona Tobia, Advisor

I enjoyed it. The students didn't just show you, they taught you how to do everything. I know that a lot of the adults learned a lot. One man emailed his daughter across the country for the first time. I made cards. I don't have a computer at home, but I enjoyed working with the kids. They were great-all of them. They were helpful, informative, and friendly.

Mrs. Phyllis Cardone, participant, 2002-2003

The great part about the program wasn't just that the students learned more about the curriculum and that adults from our community learned how to surf the Internet. The students learned about themselves: their ability to share and teach, to make corrections, and to help a stranger fifty or sixty years older than themselves. The senior citizens learned about the younger generation, their capacity to care about others, and that, as many of them put it, 'old dogs can learn new tricks.' We also, as a school, learned how different elements of our community can come together when someone has a vision, one teacher is willing and able to work tirelessly and patiently, and everyone lends a hand. It has been a great experience.

Mr. Marc Natanagara, Principal