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Service-learning is a form of experiential learning that combines relevant community service experiences with reflective exercises for a powerful learning experience that aligns with course curriculum. Service-learning can be integrated into courses in any discipline. For example, in a history course, students might develop exhibits for a local museum. In civil engineering, students might work with a local heritage organization to determine the potential of a vacant building for redevelopment.
As a form of active learning where students learn in partnership with community organizations, service-learning:
Integrates community service with course curriculum
Provides opportunities for reflection on service experiences (often through journalling, group discussions, presentations, essays, etc.)
Addresses both educational and community needs
Furthers civic responsibility
Examples of service-learning in university courses
Examples of service-learning in university courses
Creating and delivering outreach or education programs in public schools.
Working with community organizations to conduct research, plan an event, write a report or proposal or develop training materials.
Becoming involved in advocacy efforts such as participating in a rally, protest or demonstration.
Working in collaboration with the community to develop a new community resource or space, such as creating plans for a new park or analyzing possibilities for re-use of vacant buildings.
These service activities become service-learning when the service component is integrated with reflection on the activity itself and how it relates to course content.
Service-learning versus other forms of experiential education
Service-learning versus other forms of experiential education
Service-learning is distinct from volunteering in that service-learning experiences are consciously designed to stimulate learning, and are thus linked to the curriculum and performed for course credit. Service-learning is also distinct from co-op and/or practicums due to the focus of servicelearning on developing civic responsibility and a service orientation as compared with the focus of co-op on developing students’ professional skills.
Benefits of incorporating service-learning in undergraduate courses
Benefits of incorporating service-learning in undergraduate courses
Possible challenges in incorporating service-learning in undergraduate courses
Possible challenges in incorporating service-learning in undergraduate courses
How to assess Community Service Learning?
How to assess Community Service Learning?
Assessing the achievement of students in Community Service Learning has unique characteristics. We refer to Chan, CKY (2019). "Community Service", Assessment Resources@HKU, for an in-depth discussion of methods of assessing Community Service Learning, including actual examples.
Participating in VU Community Service Learning Projects?
Participating in VU Community Service Learning Projects?
See the Community Service Learning Pages of the Vrije Universiteit.
Join directly at: https://www.vu.nl/en/programmes/interdisciplinary-community-service-learning/index.aspx
Read more about Community Service Learning during Corona times: it is still possible to do CSL!
Selected resources
Selected resources
Bringle, R.G., & Hatcher, J.A. (1996). Implementing service learning in higher education. Journal of
Higher Education, 67(2), 221-239.
Eyler, J. & Giles, D. (1999). Where’s the learning in service learning? San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Canadian Association for Community Service-Learning: http://www.communityservicelearning.ca/eng
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