Checklist for Service-Learning Courses
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As you begin to think about community service as a part of your course and as you talk with community partners, incorporate these components for development of a strong and effective course.
1. What is your statement of goals, expectations, and responsibilities?
- For faculty
- For students
- For community partners
This set of statements is essential and is a product of ongoing conversation and development of understanding of and appreciation for differences in culture and practice.
2. What are the service activities students will perform?
How do they connect with the academic content of the course?
How do they meet community partners’ priorities?
With your community partner, develop a plan for service activity with strong connection to academic concepts taught in the course.
3. How will you help students connect course content and service?
Develop class activities and assignments to assist students in making the connection between course content and service and in applying academic content to service activity.
4. How will you prepare students for service?
Include a clear and accurate description of the activity and goals and objectives and evaluation; time and effort expectations, cultural sensitivity; training for the tasks involved in the service; safety awareness; and introduction to the work of the community partner.
5. How will you plan for evaluation of student learning and the unique focus of the course and of achievement of project goals?
6. What is your plan for sustainability of the faculty/community partnership with your department and with your community partner?
Continuing partnership, type(s) of activity, once a year or every quarter, commitment from partner organization and from department
