Faculty Resources
“Through my participation in Service Learning, I developed a greater introspection of my own life. By working with others, some of the stereotypes that I held were shattered. I also discovered the resilience of the human spirit.” -Brook Behle (Theatre, 2001)
What is Service Learning?
Simply put, Service Learning combines academic study with community service, allowing students to learn and grow through active participation in organized service projects that meet the needs of the local community. Through structured reflection activities, students are provided adequate time to think, talk and write about their experiences in order to evaluate previously held perceptions of the world around them while making a connection between the service experience and the class curriculum.
Why use Service Learning in the Classroom?
Research shows that participation in Service Learning can lead to the following outcomes for students:
- Decreased racist attitudes
- Increased international understanding
- Greater self-esteem
- Increased self-confidence
- Stronger leadership skills
- Increased cognitive ability
- Increased faculty-student interaction
- Greater ability to handle complex problems
According to Astin (1997), “service work encourages students to become more socially responsible, more committed to service their communities, more empowered, and more committed to education.”
Astin, A. (1997). The benefits of service: Evidence from undergraduates. Educational Record, 78, 25-32.
How can Faculty Benefit?
Faculty members benefit from Service Learning through:
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Creative teaching opportunities
- Linkages to grant/ funding options
- Expanded concept of service
Faculty who incorporate Service Learning into their curriculum generally find the benefits great enough to continue using service learning.
Research conducted at Portland State University indicated that the community service experience of faculty influenced their scholarship in the form of research, conference presentations and publications.
All academic disciplines have the potential to benefit from the incorporation of Service Learning into their curriculum.
Service Learning at U of L
To date, the following schools/departments have incorporated Service Learning in some of their courses:
- Communication
- Economics
- English
- Expressive Therapies
- Geography
- Health and Sport Sciences
- Modern Languages
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Sport Administration
- Theatre
- School of Business
- School of Dentistry
- College of Education and Human Development
- School of Nursing
What the Service Learning Staff Can Do For You
The Service Learning Program at the University of Louisville was established to promote Service Learning opportunities on campus. The staff can assist you with:
- Developing a project that links service to curriculum
- Selecting a site
- Designing reflection activities and evaluation tools
The Service Learning Program also provides:
- Individual consultations
- Resource library
- Workshops and support sessions
To see an example of the benefit Service Learning can offer, please see this article about Business Writing 306
We are always interested in learning about what faculty are doing in the classroom. Let us know how you would like to use community service in your course!
National Clearinghouse for Leadership Programs - Established in 1992 at the University of Maryland College Park, the National Clearinghouse of Leadership Programs (NCLP) provides a central clearinghouse of leadership materials, resources, and assistance to leadership educators. Current membership consists of approximately 500 individuals.
