Course Resources

Service Learning Definition

Service learning is a credit-bearing, faculty-directed, teaching-learning experience that is  course specific . It strengthens academic content knowledge and sense of civic responsibility. Students build critical thinking skills as they engage in experiential, community-based activities that are aligned with and integral to academic course work. At the same time, the community (real people in real situations) benefits from assistance that would otherwise not be available.

 

Service Learning Course Criteria

To be designated as a service learning course, a course must meet the following criteria:

1. Administratively approved through a faculty evaluation process.
2. Addresses a community (which includes schools, organizations, agencies and companies that comply with the rules of University of Arkansas) need through formal collaborations with program-identified appropriate partners.
3. Supports attainment of one or more course learning objectives.
4. Involves structured reflection.
5. Demonstrates clear and articulated connection between service activity and course content.
6. Requires five hours of service for every credit hour of course work.
7. Involves training for students before working with partners.

Additional criteria may be program specific including but not limited to:

1. Involves formalized partner training.
2. Involves a signed agreement with a partner.
3. Requires student liability insurance.
4. Requires background checks and/or drug and alcohol screenings (varies by agency and academic program).

Matrix of Difference | Service Learning vs. community service and internship

How does service learning differ from community service and traditional internship or practicums?

The UofA Service Learning Committee has developed the following matrix to assist faculty, staff and students in distinguishing among service learning, community service and traditional internship/practicum activities.  In order to qualify as true service learning on the University of Arkansas campus, any experience must include the eight characteristics listed in the service learning column below.  

Characteristics	Service Learning	Community Service	Traditional Internship/Practicums
Primary Intended Beneficiary	Student and recipient(s)	Recipient(s)	Student
Primary Focus	Providing meaningful service and enhancing  classroom learning	Providing meaningful service	Learning by doing
Intended Educational Purpose/Benefits	Academic learning, enhanced intellectual and civic engagement	Moral, personal and social growth and development	Career development and professional preparation
Curricular Integrating	Full integration within the curriculum	None	Co-curricular and supplemental
Reflection	Includes structured reflections	Generally not included	May include reflection
Nature of Service Activity	Based on course topic or discipline	Based on student interest or motivation	Based on industry or career
Duration of Activity	Semester	Agency decision	A semester or longer
Time Commitment	Minimum 5 service hours per 1 class credit hour	Variable	Prescribed by program

The following resources are available to help in developing a successful service learning course and syllabus.

Campus Compact is a national online platform of knowledge-building tools for faculty, staff, and those in higher education pursuing effective civic and community engagement.  Visit the following Campus Compact resources:

• Syllabi Library
• Critical Service-Learning Reflection Tool
• Service-Learning Collection
• Institutional Assessment
• Assessment of Higher Education Community Engagement
• Civic Action Plan Library

Other Resources:

• University of Arkansas TFSC presentation 2017
• Six Steps to Designing Effective Service Learning Courses
• Service Learning Journal Example
• Faculty Resources - Boise State University
• Reflection in Service Learning Classes
• Faculty Resources - Berkeley Public Service Center
• Tools and Rubrics for Civic Engagement Assessment
• Protection of Minors Policy Guidelines
• Intercultural Knowledge and Competence VALUE Rubric

Below is a short list of other universities that participate in Service Learning:

Boise State University	University of Georgia
Duke University	University of Maryland
Indiana University Bloomington	University of Michigan
Loyola University of New Orleans	University of Minnesota
Michigan State University	University of North Carolina at Greensboro
North Carolina at Chapel Hill	Tulane University
Northeastern University	Virginia Commonwealth University
	Wright State University