Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between service-learning, volunteerism,
or required service in my course?
Service-learning is unique in that it links the service experience
to specific learning objectives of a course. Service-learning includes
an integration of theory and practice, and an emphasis on civic responsibility.
Adding volunteer service to a course without integrating the project
with in-class discussions or projects, nor allowing time to discuss
how the service connects to course learning, is not service-learning.
2. What are the risks and what is my liability?
University of Nebraska-Lincoln students are covered by University insurance
for service they do for class in the Lincoln community (Transportation
to the site of the service included). Even so, it is a good idea
to make sure students are clearly informed of potential risks before
they volunteer. Describe the activities involved in the service,
outline possible risks, and explain the skills required to perform
each service. Make sure you have a clear line of communication with
the community agency staff so any difficulties can be reported quickly.
3. How do I evaluate student performance? How are students assigned
a grade for the service?
Faculty should not need to change how they evaluate student performance
when they add a service-learning component to their courses. Just as
in other assignments, such as written papers, exams, or group projects.
Grades for service-learning are not awarded based on having served
for a required number of hours, but on proof that the student learned
from the experience, based on reflection assignments, comments in class
discussion, or exam questions that require the service experiences
to be related to course learning.
4. How much time will it take to build a service-learning component
into my course curriculum?
The most time-consuming part of integrating service-learning, as with
any new component in a course, is in the initial stages of logistics
and relationship building. Beyond the first visits with the agency
and determining appropriate assignments, etc., service-learning components
of courses should not take any more time from class than any other
course requirements. Community agency staff, former students, teaching
assistants, and Student Involvement’s service-learning staff are great
resources for making the initial steps easier. The amount of time required
is lessened as the relationship with your community agency develops
over time. Teaching and learning activities require a time commitment
from the instructor.
5. Will service-learning take a lot of class time?
You are still in charge of what class time is used. Students can reflect
on the experience outside class through journals and logs, or on-line
email discussions. Research, however indicates that devoting time
in class to discussing experiences that emerge from the service experience
will increase student learning and satisfaction with the course.
If the students’ experiences become text for the class, they will
integrate what they are learning as the discuss, make connections
to course materials, and listen to the experience of others.
6. How can involvement in service-learning strengthen my professional
research?
Professional academic associations now include sessions on experiential
education at national as will as regional conferences. Other associations
such as the National Society for Experiential Education and the American
Association of Higher Education hold annual conferences and provide
opportunities to present papers on service-learning and the scholarship
of engagement. Involvement in service-learning can augment and redirect
one’s professional research interests, especially when a strong partnership
is created with the community agency. Service-learning can contribute
to research by engaging students in action research and applied research
projects. Many journals publish research articles on service-learning.
(Some questions and answers adapted from Indiana Campus Compact, Service Learning Tip Sheets: A Faculty Resource Guide.)
