SERVICE LEARNING
By melding academics with service, coursework
comes alive and students learn civic responsibility
as they deepen their understanding of the community
in which they live.
Why Community Engagement and Service Learning?
(video link, click here)
Service learning is a credit-bearing, educational experience in which
students participate in an organized service activity that meets
identified community needs. Students also reflect on the service
activity in such a way as to gain further understanding of course
content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced
sense of civic responsibility.
SERVICE LEARNING MODELS
• Product model
– Students create a usable product for the agency to
use in its work.
• Placement model
– Students are placed at an agency and do service for
2-3 hours per week.
• Presentation model
– Students present information from their class material
that may be useful to a particular community
organization or to the community at-large.
STEP ONE: REGISTER IN THE DATABASE
1. Login to the service learning database:
http://www4.uwm.edu/community/log.cfm
2. And choose a service assignment:
Fill this circle
to select
assignment
Don’t forget to
hit “Submit”
again!!!
STEP TWO: CHECK YOUR UWM EMAIL AND
PRINT OFF YOUR FORMS
Once you submit your registration, a confirmation
email will be sent to you, the community partner, the
Center, and your professor.
The email will provide you with important information,
that will lead you to step three….
Please note – this email contains contact information
regarding your site contact, so save this email for
future reference.
STEP THREE: CONTACT YOUR AGENCY
Call or email your site contact person to
arrange your orientation and service
schedule. If you do not hear back from
them in 4-5 business days, then contact
the Center at islinfo@uwm.edu.
•
Please note: some sites have special requirements like
applications, background checks, or TB tests. These
requirements will be listed in the agency description.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT STEP THREE…
• IMPORTANT! Registering in the database
does NOT guarantee you the assignment you
select. UWM often works with partners that
take service learners from other schools as
well, so you must contact your site
immediately after selection to confirm/set up
your orientation or you risk losing your
assignment!
STEP FOUR: PAPERWORK AND TESTS
 Fill out forms needed by the agency:



Applications,
background check,
SOME agencies require drug screening, TB test, etc.
 Fill out forms needed by UWM:



Service Learning Agreement.
SOME classes also have a Service Learning Contract.
Timecards (done throughout the semester and turned
into your instructor at the end, just like a paper)
STEP FIVE: COMPLETE YOUR SERVICE
It is your responsibility to get set up quickly with your
service-learning assignment.
Be sure to attend orientation / training, be on time to
all weekly service sessions, and if you can not make
it, call your site supervisor.
Treat this like any other class requirement, and
represent UWM in a positive and professional manner.
SPRING 2013 TIMELINE
Database Placements Complete
January 18th
Classes Begin
January 22nd
Service-Learning Class Orientations
January 22nd- February 1st
Online Registration for SL Assignment*
January 22nd- February 1st
SL Placement Selection Deadline
February 28th
Spring Break
March 18th- March 22nd
Last Day of Semester and Service-Learning
May 9th
Final Exams
May 13th- May 18th
-- * After February 1st students must have approval from instructor to select or change a placement.
-- Check with your instructor to see when Time Sheets are due