Service Learning:
- Establishing learning objectives, learning activities and
evaluation methods - A work-plan, early planning and ongoing follow-through
- Community engagement
- Input and buy-in from students and community members
- Sensitivity to community needs
- Opportunities for students to reflect and discuss critically
upon their experiences
How do I implement service learning?
Service Learning requires a commitment to the community, establishing a clear connection between community needs and learning outcomes and understanding the power of reflection as a means of connecting the service experience to academic course material. Service learning requires thoughtful and significant planning on the front-end. However, the return on your initial investment can carry you through the remainder of the year. Your leadership coupled with student commitment to community building, community service and reciprocal learning builds a lasting and strong foundation for future classroom activity. In order to implement service learning, the key is to bridge curricular goals with community needs while encouraging ongoing classroom reflection and discussion.
