"Tell me and I will forget. Show me and I will remember. Involve me and I will understand"
Benjamin Franklin
Academic service learning can be an effective teaching strategy that brings service into the lives of students, allowing them to integrate “real life” experiences into academically rigorous courses. By incorporating service projects into the course faculty are given the opportunity to address important social problems and enliven students education.
A three year study conducted by UCLA's Higher Education Research Institute explored the impact service learning has on students and faculty in higher education. The study revealed that student participation in service has a significant positive effect on academic performance, values, self-efficacy, leaderships, choice of a service career, and plans to participate in service after college. Higher Education Research Institute
The Faculty Resource Guidebook is designed to be a reference tool for faculty incorporating service learning into their course curriculum. The Resource Guidebook provides step-by-step instructions to get you started with the service learning process.
Faculty Guidebook (PDF, 203KB)
Structured reflection is integral to service learning because it connects and reinforces in-class work, course readings, and service learning experiences. It provides an opportunity for students to think critically about service experiences, examine and challenge personal values, beliefs, and opinions. It provides a platform for students to ask questions, share ideas and experiences, challenge current solutions to community issues and develop plans to address community needs. FOR REFLECTION IDEAS CLICK HERE.
Facilitating Reflection: A Manual for Leaders and Educators offers insight to the importance of reflection in the classroom and includes ideas for many reflection activities.
Facilitating Reflection: A manual for leaders and educators
The following are links that provide exemplary service-learning syllabi across a wide variety of disciplines.
A comprehensive list of publishing outlets for service learning and community based research.
In any given semester CI students join their faculty to develop innovative programs and projects to meet local needs using the skills gained in their classrooms. Some of these projects include: tutoring homeless children, creating a public health campaign, and contributing to the restoration of New Orleans. Click here for a more detailed list of service projects
