Service Learning
Joe Bandy
Center for Teaching
Vanderbilt University
Introductions
• Students as Producers year
• In pairs, discuss
– Experiences with Service Learning
– Benefits
– Challenges
Starting Points
• “Democracy has to be born anew every generation, and education
is its midwife.” John Dewey, School and Society, 1889.
• National Service Learning Clearinghouse:
– “a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful
community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the
learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen
communities.”
• Janet S. Eyler (winner of the 2003 Thomas Ehrlich Faculty Award for
Service Learning) and Dwight E. Giles, Jr.:
– “a form of experiential education where learning occurs through a
cycle of action and reflection as students. . . seek to achieve real
objectives for the community and deeper understanding and skills for
themselves. In the process, students link personal and social
development with academic and cognitive development. . . experience
enhances understanding; understanding leads to more effective
action.”
Starting Points
• Service Learning, related to…
– Community-based Teaching or Learning
– Civic Education
– Civic Engagement
– Public Scholarship
Benefits: Students
(Eyler, Giles, Stenson and Gray 2001)
• Learning Outcomes
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Content learning
Application of knowledge to “the real world”
Understanding, problem-solving, critical thinking
Complexity and ambiguity
• Personal Outcomes
– Personal efficacy, spiritual growth, and moral development
– Interpersonal development, leadership and communication skills
• Social Outcomes
– Reduced stereotypes and greater inter-cultural understanding
– Social responsibility and citizenship skills
– Continuing community engagement after graduation
• Career Development
– Networking for learning and career opportunities
• Relationship with the Institution
– Relationships with faculty
– Satisfaction with college
– Graduation rates
Benefits: Faculty, College, Community
• Faculty
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Satisfaction with student learning
New avenues for research
Networking with faculty in other disciplines or institutions
Stronger commitment to one’s research
• College
– Institutional commitment to the curriculum
– Student retention
– Community relations
• Community
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Satisfaction with student participation
Human resources needed to achieve community goals
New energy, enthusiasm and perspectives
Community-university relations
Models
• Service-Based
– One-time project
– Optional assignment
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Problem-Based
Capstone
Internship
Independent/Honors Action Research
Multi-course Projects
Challenges
• Time commitment
• Ensuring positive community impact
• Ensuring student learning
Discussion: Solutions
• In groups of 3, each of you take 1 of these
problems and discuss one potential solution:
– Time commitment
– Ensuring positive community impact
– Ensuring student learning
Possible Solutions
• Time commitment
– Clear goals
– Staff/Faculty assistance, TA
– Schedule flexibility for student participation,
community too
– Not reinventing the wheel
– Resources, incentives for faculty engagement
Possible Solutions
• Time commitment
– Center for Teaching
– Public Service Offices
– Community Partnership Databases
Possible Solutions
• Ensuring positive community impact
– Use existing community relationships
– Clear goals and expectations
– Assessment and improvements
– Rigorous needs & asset assessment
Possible Solutions
• Ensuring positive community impact
– Assessing Community Needs
– Building Trust through Reciprocity
– Creative and Flexible Projects
– Realistic Project Goals
– Managing Community Expectations
– Ensuring Continuity
– Adhering to IRB Guidelines
– Assessing Impacts
Possible Solutions
(Saltmarsh, Hartley, & Clayton 2009)
• Democratic vs Technocratic Engagement
– Power sharing
• Shared governance vs. University decision making
– Stakeholder relationships
• Partnership vs. Consultant-Client
– Solving problems
• Asset-based collaboration vs. Problem-based solution
– Outcomes
• Stakeholder change vs. Stakeholder stasis
Possible Solutions
• Ensuring student learning
– Student preparation
– Student reflection
– Student involvement in project planning
Possible Solutions
• Ensuring student learning
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Content rigor
Community orientation
Safety precautions
Skills training
Ethics training
Logistical support
Assignments
Reflection
Project failure
• Unforeseen obstacles
• Confounding results
Further Resources
• Service Learning and Community Engagement
teaching guide