Service Learning

"Course-based, credit-bearing educational experience that allows students to (a) participate in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs and (b) reflect on the service activity in such a way as to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility" (Bringle & Hatcher, 1995, p. 112).

 

The Service-Learning Process
During service-learning, students engage in Investigation, Planning, Action, Reflection and Demonstration also known as the IPARD(S) Process.
 
Investigation : Teachers and students investigate the community problems that they might potentially address. Investigation typically involves some sort of research and mapping activity.
 
Planning and Preparation : Teachers, students, and community members plan the learning and service activities, and address the administrative issues needed for a successful project.
 
Action (Implementing the Service Activity): The “heart” of the project: engaging in the meaningful service experience that will help your students develop important knowledge, skills, and attitudes, and will benefit the community.
 
Reflection : Activities that help students understand the service-learning experience and to think about its meaning and connection to them, their society, and what they have learned in school.
 
Demonstration/Celebration : The final experience when students, community participants and others publicly share what they have learned, celebrate the results of the service project, and look ahead to the future.
 
Sustaining (also called “institutionalizing”): This element focuses on making service-learning an integral part of an organization’s programming and culture—and sustaining a commitment to service and civic engagement in the lives of the participants who “graduate” from the program
 Service Learning Cycle

From Service-Learning in Community-Based Organizations: A Practical Guide to Starting and Sustaining High-Quality Programs, by Eugene C. Roehlkepartain

 

 

Additional Service Learning Resources

Magna Commons - Magna Publications “Service Learning Course Design What Faculty Need to Know” (webinar) http://www.magnapubs.com/magna-commons/

Welcome to Service Learning Video http://servicelearning.boisestate.edu/faculty/welcome-to-sl-on-prezi/

National Service-Learning Clearinghouse http://www.servicelearning.org

Toolkits available to review and download to assist in creating or enhancing service-learning programs http://www.servicelearning.org/toolkits

Service-Learning Ideas and Curricular Examples (SLICE)   http://www.servicelearning.org/slice/index.php

Service Learning Models http://www.celt.iastate.edu/ServiceLearning/s-lmodels.html