Implementation

[click here to download a PDF copy of UNL’s Service-Learning Faculty Manual]

Incorporating Service-Learning into a course requires thoughtful pre-planning and thorough follow up. Remember that the service activity is not an additional component, but another way to teach course concepts. Successful learning and effective community contributions depend upon a well-integrated package of syllabus, orientation, reflection, and assessment. Use the following steps to effectively integrate service into your curriculum

1. Negotiating Projects

• Articulate, in writing, the objective(s) of the service assignment. What do you want to learn through the experience?
• Identify community needs that may be appropriate for your objectives. Contact Student Involvement for assistance in identifying community needs via your own professional contacts or our community agency contacts.

2. Developing the Syllabus

• Identify the service activity and objective(s) of the service in the syllabus.
• Link the service to course content: writing assignments, discussion topics, readings, presentations, and other activities.
• Clearly explain the incentive(s) for successful completion of the experience. Provide a clear link between course content, the service activity, and student success in the course.
• Describe how students will be assessed on the experience. Clarify that the grade is for the processing of their experience – through papers, discussions, presentations, etc. – not for the service hours alone.

3. Provide Orientation/Training

• Talk about the service experience on the first day of the course.
o Touch on each of the topics listed under “Developing the Syllabus.” (Optional: Contact the Student Involvement Service-Learning & Volunteer Services Team to give a presentation about service-learning to your class.)
• Invite agency or community representatives to visit the class. Host a panel if you have multiple community partners.
• Address student concerns, fears, and expectations regarding the service experience.
• Prepare students with the appropriate skills and brief them on their responsibilities regarding communication, follow-through, and professionalism.
• Have students complete the cooperative service-learning agreement form with their community supervisor and submit a copy to you.

4. Contracting/Supervision

• Provide a timeline. Students need benchmarks for contacting the agency, meeting with supervisors, signing contracts and beginning and completing the service – avoid the inevitable temptation to procrastinate.
• Have a backup plan for students with special needs. Consider providing an alternative for those students who are legitimately unable to participate in the service.
• Contact the community partner(s) at least once mid-semester to seek feedback and, if possible, visit the service site(s) to gain first-hand exposure to the experience.

5. Reflection

• Implement reflective assignments and activities throughout the semester.
• Discuss the service in class. Students who choose not to participate in the experience will still gain insights and knowledge from the comments of students who do participate.

6. Assessment/Evaluation

• Use reflection assignments to assess student learning and evaluate performance.
o Evaluate analytical skills, communication skills, critical thinking, and judgment from students’ reflection papers and presentations. o Create individual or group assignments that require students to integrate the course content and the service experience.
• Have students submit an evaluation form to be completed by the service supervisor.
• Base grades upon rigorous assessment of student learning and skill application, even though incentive points may be provided for successfully completing the service contract and obtaining a supervisor evaluation.
• Administer an evaluation form on the last day of class. Use the evaluations to plan and refine your next service-learning course.

For a personal consultation about applying ASL to your courses, contact the Student Involvement Service-Learning & Volunteer Services Team at 472-2454.