The National Center for Service-Learning
(1979) defines service-learning through three key characteristics:
1) Service-learning constitutes activity that is focused on meeting
a human need in the community where that need has to do with the
well-being of individuals and/or of the environment in which they
live.
2) Key academic and/or civic objectives to be achieved through
combining service with learning have been identified prior to the
activity.
3) Opportunities for students to reflect on their experience and its
connection to specific academic/civic objectives are incorporated
into the activity.
Steps to Starting a Service-Learning
Course at UWSP
Semester prior to course delivery:
Meet with UWSP's Service-Learning Coordinator.
Define student learning objectives and outcomes.
Initiate community partnerships.
Develop reflection activities.
Develop grading and assessment measures.
Discuss with the Service-Learning Coordinator the role that you would like him/her to play in the service-learning project throughout the semester.
Design the course the include the service-learning project(s).
Arrange logistics of the course and edit service-learning forms as necessary.
Semester of course delivery:
If desired, arrange for the Service-Learning Coordinator to speak with students about service-learning prior to the initiation of the project.
Start the project.
Communicate with the agency and students throughout the semester.
Perform assessment and evaluation of service-learning project.