COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY
SERVICE-LEARNING
Introduction
Service-learning is a teaching approach that engages students in solving problems within
their communities as part of their academic studies or other types of learning activities.
Service-learning helps student’s master important curriculum content by supporting their
making meaningful connections between what they are studying and its many
applications. Service-learning also helps students develop a range of service skills, from
acts of kindness and caring, to community stewardship, to civic action.
Service-learning offers a unique opportunity for students to get involved with their
communities in a tangible way by integrating service projects with didactic and clinical
learning. Service-learning can be applied across all professions and academic levels; it
can involve a single student or group of students, a classroom or an entire school.
A growing body of research recognizes service-learning as an effective strategy to help
students by:
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Promoting learning through active participation in service experiences;
Providing structured time for students to reflect by thinking, discussing and
writing about their service experience;
Providing an opportunity for students to use skills and knowledge in real-life
situations;
Fostering a sense of caring for others; and,
Providing engaging and productive opportunities for students to work with others
in their community
The UM-St. Louis College of Optometry has adopted the principles of service learning
for its externship program.
Questions for Reflection
Self- and issue-focused questions:
1. What personal qualities (e.g. leadership, communication skills, compassion, etc.)
have you developed through the externship? In what ways do you anticipate these
qualities will help you in the future; to help others in the future?
2. How has your orientation to or opinion about optometry changed through your
externship experience?
3. What contributions can you bring to optometry as a result of your externship?
4. What can you do with the knowledge you have gained from the externship
experiences to promote eye and vision care?
5. Do you see connections between your externship experiences and public policy at
the local, state and national level?
Patient-focused questions:
6. What similarities do you perceive between you and the people you are serving?
7. How are you perceived by the people you are serving?
8. What do you think a typical day is like for the people you serve? What pressures
do they confront?
9. How does their situation impact their life socially, educationally, politically,
recreationally, etc.?
10. What stereotypes are you confronting about the people you serve? Have you reconceptualized these stereotypes? What new information leads you to do this?