Faculty Resources
"Tell me and I will forget. Show me and I will remember. Involve me and I will understand"
Benjamin Franklin
Why Service Learning
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.
Potential Benefits to Faculty
- Supports faculty in using a pedagogical tool that has been found to enrich teaching
- Connects the community with the curriculum
- Creates an awareness of current societal issues that impact our community.
- Provides opportunities to identify new areas for research and publication
- Increases opportunities for professional recognition and reward
How Service Learning Impacts Students
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
Faculty Resource Guidebook
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)
The Art of Reflection
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.
Click here for the manual: http://www.uvm.edu/~dewey/reflection_manual/
Service Learning Sylabii Resources
The following are links that provide exemplary service-learning syllabi across a wide variety of disciplines.
Publishing Outlets for Service Learning and Community-Based Research
A comprehensive list of publishing outlets for service learning and community based research.
Profiles in Engagement
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