Defining Service Learning at Chemeketa

This step-by-step guide is designed to assist faculty in creating and implementing service learning in their classes. It is not intended as a prescriptive manual, but rather a resource for getting started. It includes details on planning for a service learning course, creating or modifying a course syllabus, forms for getting started, information for students and sample syllabi among other things. This guide also includes a list of further resources on campus, on the Internet and at other colleges.

Service Learning is a teaching/learning strategy that uses meaningful community service combined with guided reflection to enrich a student's learning of course materials. Courses enhanced with a Service Learning option focus on critical thinking and problem solving, social and personal development as well as civic and community responsibility. Service Learning course outcomes typically focus on providing service to the community that is relevant and meaningful to both the student and the service site involved, enhancing academic learning in the course and also preparing students for civic responsibility in the future. Students enrolling in a Service Learning course should address the knowledge, skills and values associated with civic learning. For example, a sociology course may teach students the knowledge necessary to understand the causes of social problems, the skills needed to address working solutions to social problems and the values that will encourage students to actively pursue community service.

See also Key Concepts of Service Learning for additional definitions of Service Learning in Appendix A.  

Adapted from the Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, Summer, 2001 Service Learning Course Design Workbook.

Important Characteristics of Service Learning

Community Service  

The basis for Service Learning – community service – is a vehicle for the achievement of specific educational goals and objectives.

Reciprocity

Service Learning is based on a reciprocal relationship in which the service reinforces and strengthens the learning, and the learning reinforces and strengthens the service.

Flexibility

Service Learning is flexible and designed to help instructors teach and students learn:   Currently at Chemeketa, Service Learning may be:

• A requirement integrated into course objectives
• An optional assignment or a series of assignments
• An additional one-credit Service Learning Seminar

Reflection  

Service Learning courses provide structured time for students to reflect on their service and learning experiences through activities like writing, reading, speaking, listening, and creating.

Assessment

Evaluation in a Service Learning course focuses on the quality of learning and service projects rather than quantity of service, and whether the service project is appropriate according to the teaching objectives of which the primary goal is to instill a sense of civic responsibility among Service Learning students.