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Service-Learning Resources

Modes of Service-Learning

Each of the below modes of service-learning explains how students can connect academic content with relevant service through service-learning projects in their courses. This list, created by the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse provides a summary of the many different ways that we can forge meaningful community partnerships. 

Service-Learning Definition

Service-Learning at Wichita State University is an experiential learning method that integrates community service with instruction and reflection to improve student civic-mindedness and build community capacity.

Venn Diagram: three circles, first labeled academic material link to course, second labeled reflection, third labeled relevant/meaningful service, overlap in a central section labeled service-learning.

Visual adapted from Loyola University New Orleans, Community Engaged Learning, Teaching, and Scholarship

Direct Service-Learning

Direct Service-Learning: individual to individual/ face to face/ human to human projects in which students work directly with individuals and organizations to address a community need or issue. (Direct contact, usually visible)

Examples include: 

  • Tutoring others (youth, adults)
  • Serving meals/ helping in homeless shelter
  • Mentoring programs
  • Creating presentations for community members/ partners
  • Providing music/dance/art lessons 
  • Using language skills to support community health needs 

Indirect Service-Learning

Indirect Service-Learning: Students address a community need with a specific community partner without engaging directly with a client/ individual population. (no direct contact/ not always visible/ behind the scenes)

Examples include: 

  • Building low-income housing
  • Disaster relief clean up
  • Creating a mural or community art installation
  • Developing marketing materials such as brochures, flyers, social media campaigns for a non-profit organization
  • Creating income, budget, or annual reports for a non-profit organization
  • Building a ramp or other project to assist with client access 
  • Translating brochures, flyers, or videos into languages needed to assist community partner
  • Mapping lands, monitoring environment, compiling history or creating plans for a non-profit organization

Research-Based Service-Learning

Research-Based Service-Learning: Conducting research to address community needs or issues such as implementing qualitative or quantitative studies aimed at collecting, analyzing and reporting information that is needed for a community partner to serve others. 

Examples include: 

  • Designing a research study based on a community partner need
  • Developing a survey/ data collection instrument
  • Analyzing a community partner's survey results to evaluate effectiveness of their services 
  • Conducting longitudinal studies related to population served or community resources
  • Conducting interviews or focus groups for a non-profit organization
  • Developing a final report or summary of information based on research/ data collection
  • Creating videos, brochures, or other forms of communication that share research or data

Advocacy- Based Service-Learning

Advocacy- Based Service-Learning: Creating awareness initiatives, programs or events aimed at educating individuals or clients on issues of public interest. 

Examples include: 

  • Public information campaigns (print, web, video, social media) on topics or issues for a non-profit organization
  • Policy work (drafting legislation or policy to improve community needs/ build community capacity)
  • Hosting public forms, panels, or guest speakers on topics of community needs or issues 
  • Lobby on behalf of community partner or community issue/concern
  • Election engagement activity/ voter registration drives
  • Letter writing campaigns 

Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice

Recognized as a best practice in both K-12 and higher education, the below set of standards provided by the National Youth Leadership Council are a resources for educators aimed at ensuring quality practice and design in service-learning. 

Link to ResourceLink to NYLC

 

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