Service-Learning Initiative
Site Navigation
About Service-Learning Courses
Service-Learning at The Ohio State University
Service-learning is a form of experiential education in which students engage in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs and is linked with academic course content in such a way as to enhance understanding of content as well as civic responsibility.
The Service-Learning Initiative supports development, implementation, and evaluation of sustainable service-learning courses and encourages community-based scholarship across the curricula of The Ohio State University to enhance student learning, develop student civic engagement, and foster ongoing collaboration with local and global communities. Today, OSU offers more than 70 service-learning courses each year in a variety of disciplines.
Definition
A Service-Learning course
- uses experiential strategies characterized by student participation in an organized service activity
- engages in service that meets identified community needs
- connects service to specific learning outcomes
- provides structured time for students to analyze and connect the service experience to learning
S-Designation Courses
On May 30, 2007, the Council on Academic Affairs approved the proposal for policies and procedures for listing service-learning courses with an “S” suffix. This addition makes it easier for students to locate service-learning courses and provides standards for course design across the university. Due to several administrative changes to the course systems over the past few years, there are still many service-learning courses that do not carry the S-suffix. To help students identify and faculty to promote service-learning courses, we are currently working with administrators and faculty to make sure that the bulk of service-learning offerings get the S-designation. For more information on the S-designation and how it can benefit you, visit our Request Service-Learning S-Designation page .
Current Course List
View full list of current courses
Course Design Resources
- Checklist for the Development of Service-Learning Courses
- Elements of a Service-Learning Course
- Preparing Students for Service Learning
- Using Reflection in Service-Learning
- Faculty Toolkit for Service-Learning in Higher Education (external resource)
Course Evaluation
Pre- and post- course surveys measure general attitudes and perceptions of students enrolled in service-learning courses, providing useful information for measuring course effectiveness and enhancing the quality of the service-learning experience. Links to sample survey forms:
