Service Learning Information for Faculty
"Civic engagement provides the intellectual challenge
of applying scholarship to real-world issues—an opportunity for
faculty members to help students learn the teamwork, planning, observation,
reflective, writing, and problem-solving skills that will enhance their
post-graduate job opportunities."
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The University of Iowa Provost,
Michael Hogan
Service learning uses community-based student experience to support the learning goals of a course. Ideally, service learning responds to real community needs while deepening students' understanding of academic material.
Service-learning courses systematically incorporate assignments about civic engagement into classroom work. In addition, students are required to participate in a number of service-learning exercises to demonstrate:
- comprehension of course content as enhanced by their community engagement
- development of their community engagement experience
- ongoing reflection and classroom discussion about that experience
For example, in one Introduction to Museology course, students consulted with a local children’s museum to determine that institution’s needs and how students can help further its contributions to the local community. Student papers applied course concepts as a lens through which students could examine their experiences at the museum.They also used their experiences in the museum setting to critically analyze what they had learned in the course and to reflect on their content knowledge and teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Service learning can be an extremely rewarding teaching method. It can be built into a class gradually, and take the form of a one-day project or a semester-long experience. Below, you will find information about how service learning benefits faculty and some resources to help you incorporate service learning into your curriculum.