Oversite of Student Service Learning

Three phases are covered in high quality student service learning (SSL):

• Step 1

  PREPARATION to make meaningful contributions in response to recognized community needs.

• Step 2

  ACTION to achieve curricular objectives, and develop responsibility.

• Step 3

  REFLECTION to consider the impact of the action and what was learned.

Quality service-learning experiences result in the strengthening of character, development of new skills, exploration of careers, and an expanded sense of community.

PREPARATION of Student for the Service-Learning Experience

• Identify a secular project that is educational and meets a community need.
• Set the expectations and steps for engagement.
• Specify specific skills needed.
• Share aspects of the organization and career paths that are available.
• Identify the adult who will train, supervise, and guide the student.

ACTION Supervised Throughout the Service-Learning Experience

Consider the action involved in the service:

• Direct Action involves secular activities such as tutoring, visiting children in a hospital, serving food at a food kitchen.
• Indirect Action involves secular activities such as collections of food, clothing, toiletry items, fundraisers, and community clean-ups.
• Advocacy Action involves secular activities such as writing letters to officials stating an opinion on a topic, or speaking publicly about an issue.
• Supervise the action in a public place.

REFLECTION of the Service-learning Experience by the student

• Assist student as necessary to understand the need they addressed.
• Identify who benefited from the action that was taken.
• Survey what the student learned about him/herself.
• Identify the academic area connected to the service-learning experience.
• Celebrate service and learning.
• Encourage continued involvement.
• Explore potential career goals as a result of this experience.