Leonard Center releases new service learning hub for Lee students

The Lee University Leonard Center recently launched a new service-learning Moodle hub which allows students to have easier access to all of the center’s resources.

According to Melia Killough, Leonard Center intern and creator of the Moodle Hub,  the new Moodle addition should make the process of earning and submitting service hours easier for students. 

“The service-learning Moodle hub was created to ease the process of turning in service-learning hours for Lee students,” said Killough. “Not only do students no longer need to print their papers and turn them in physically in the Leonard Center, but they are now also allowed to do video reflections. This streamlines the process of reporting service hours for students on a platform that is already familiar due to Moodle’s use in classes.”

Released at the beginning of February 2022, the new Moodle page now allows students to submit their written and video service reflections electronically, browse FAQs, view hundreds of service opportunities and have all rubrics, guidelines, deadlines and assets in one virtual location. 

“The most important thing about our Moodle page is it’s here to be helpful to you,” said Director of the Leonard Center Dr. William Lamb. “Here’s the deal, make a difference and then tell us about it through a submission on the Moodle page.” 

Redemptive service is one of Lee’s three core values, along with ethical action and responsible citizenship. The service aspect of the Lee experience is actualized through various campus events, and the service-learning program is the center of it all. 

Some students like Shannon Galloway, a sophomore information systems major, are eager to complete their hours with this new addition. 

“It is humbling to incorporate service into our college experience,” said Galloway. “We can get so caught up in our own life that it is good to take a step back to help others and remember the world doesn’t revolve around us.”

Other students see this upgrade as a symbol that the Leonard Center cares for students. 

“I am super excited about this new change,” said sophomore Spanish and nursing major Jamey Ryan. “You can tell that the Leonard Center is really catering to the needs of students and trying to make it as easy as possible for us to submit our service hours.” 

The university requires every student to complete a predetermined number of service hours based on the length of time they are at Lee. As a general rule, each student must have ten service hours for every semester they are at Lee, which adds up to 80 service hours total for the typical four-year student. 

“We realize that over your journey at Lee you make a lot of sacrifices and a lot of commitments to make life better for somebody else,” said Lamb. “That’s what we’re trying to do with the Moodle Hub, make life better for you.”

In the past, students who wished to submit service hours have been required to turn in their written service reflections in person by bringing physical copies of their essays and additional forms to the Leonard Center. Now, with the new Moodle hub, students are encouraged to simply upload a written or video reflection to a DropBox.

For more information regarding the new Moodle hub, questions regarding service hours or suggestions to make the service-learning platform better, email [email protected] or stop by the Leonard Center office.