Morgridge Center for Public Service

Service-Learning is a teaching methodology that combines service and specific classroom learning objectives. There are over fifty service-learning courses offered at the UW-Madison that integrate a service component into the class that is related to the learning objectives. Through service-learning, you will have the opportunity to work with a variety of different people and/or social issues. In order to reflect on what you have learned from your experience, your professor may require that you keep a journal, create a presentation for your classmates, etc. You will not only learn a lot about "real world" issues, but you are guaranteed to learn a great deal about yourself in the process!

Finding a Service-Learning Course

Service-learning courses are available each semester and can be found by looking in the timetable. If a course has a service-learning component it will be listed in the footnotes section. View former and current lists of service-learning course offerings by downloading one of the following xml (MS Excel Spreadsheet) files:

Benefits of Service-Learning

Links course work to real life experience and employment.
Allows you to make a difference in the community.
Enhances your critical thinking skills.
Improves interpersonal and human relations skills.
Provides you with an opportunity for career exploration and potential job contacts.
Provides you with a greater understanding of social issues.
Documents work experience and skill development.

Frequently Asked Questions about Service-Learning

1) What is service-learning?
2) What is community-based research?
3) What is the difference between service-learning and community-based research?
4) How is service-learning different from volunteerism or an internship?
5) Why should I take a service-learning course?
6) How is my grade determined in a service-learning course?
7) I’m interested in taking a service-learning course next semester—what resources are available to alert me of service-learning opportunities?
8) How many service-learning courses are offered at UW-Madison every semester?
9) How many hours of service will I need to complete during the semester? How much time outside of class is required?
10) Are there different types or models of academic service-learning courses?
11) How will I get to my service site?
12) Who decides what community agency I will be working with?
13) What if a problem arises during the semester at the agency?
14) I've enrolled in a service-learning course--what should I expect? How should I prepare myself differently than I would for a "traditional" course?

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What is service-learning?

A “course-based, credit-bearing educational experience that allows students to:
- participate in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs and
- reflect on the service activity in such a way as to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility."
  
  - Bringle & Hatcher (1995)

What is community-based research?

A partnership of students, faculty/instructional staff and community who collaboratively engage in research with the purpose of solving a pressing community problem and/or effecting social change.

- Strand et al. (2003)

Also known as: participatory research, action research, participatory action research, community-based participatory research

What is the difference between academic service-learning and community-based research?

Community-based research (CBR) falls under the umbrella of service-learning; it is a particular model of a service-learning course where the research topic is developed in collaboration with the community partner, and results are shared with the community partner. CBR also has social action and social change as a goal for the purpose of enhancing social justice.

- Stoecker (2002)

How is service-learning different from volunteerism or an internship?

The graphic below essentially depicts the following concepts:
- Internships generally benefit the student (the “provider” of service).
- Volunteerism generally benefits the community organization/service site (“recipient” of service)
- Service-learning benefits both the student and the community organization/service site equally.

Continuum of Service Types

Why should I take a service-learning course?

Service-learning has many benefits for students: it enhances academic learning, reduces stereotyping, fosters connections to the community, and strengthens problem-solving, professional, and interpersonal communication skills.
Service-learning courses are a great way to obtain some “real world” experience in the potential academic major/career areas you are considering.
Students consistently rate the learning experience in service-learning courses more favorably than learning in “traditional” courses. A spring 2008 UW-Madison survey found that 91.7% of students “got more” out of their service-learning course than “traditional” classroom courses and 100% of students had a positive service experience.

Some quotes from these service-learners:
- “This will have been the most hands on, productive class I've ever taken. It will have been the most important class I took at UW.”
- The best part of my service experience was…“getting to be closer friends with someone who could offer me a completely different perspective on life.”
- “It is one thing to sit in a classroom and learn about something, but when you are actually out in the real world applying what you have learned to certain situations you definitely get more out of the class.

How is my grade determined in a service-learning course?

In “traditional” courses, your learning is assessed from traditional course resources, e.g., textbooks, class discussions, library research, etc.; in service-learning courses your learning is evaluated from the blending of traditional resources and community service. Academic credit is not awarded for doing service or for the quality of the service, but rather for the student’s demonstration of academic and civic learning.

I’m interested in taking a service-learning course next semester—what resources are available to alert me of service-learning opportunities?

The Morgridge Center offers a listing of service-learning courses by semester on this page. Some service-learning courses are only offered in Spring or Fall. You can use this information to plan when in your future schedule you take a service-learning course.

How many service-learning courses are offered at UW-Madison every semester?

At UW-Madison, in addition to counting courses we count the sections of service-learning being offered, because several courses have more than one service-learning section. The Morgridge Center recorded 36 classes and 78 sections of service-learning in Fall 2008, and 24 courses and 30 sections in Spring 2008 (though the number varies each semester).

How many hours of service will I need to complete during the semester? How much time outside of class is required?

On average, about 20-25 hours of service are required outside the classroom, but it varies with every instructor.

Are there different types or models of academic service-learning courses?

Yes. An in-depth description of each type of model may be found in the S-l/cbr Faculty Introduction powerpoint on the faculty page of the Morgridge Center website.

How will I get to my service site?

It is generally up to you to find transportation to and from your service site, but several resources exist to assist you with this:
- If your site is close, walking or biking is encouraged (city bike maps are provided at several bike shops in town).
- If your site is further away from campus and on the city bus line, you can get a free bus pass from ASM at the start of the semester and take the bus to your site.
- If your site is not on the city bus line, you may be eligible for free cab rides to your site via the Morgridge Center’s Volunteer Transportation Program.

Who decides what community agency I will be working with?

It varies by instructor and course—sometimes students choose the community agency they will work with; other times instructors assign students to a specific agency. In some cases, the entire class works with the same agency; in other cases, students work individually/in small groups and each student/group is place at a different agency.

What if a problem arises during the semester at the agency?

Communication is key! Each faculty/instructional staff member should devise and discuss with service-learners a plan for dealing with any problems during your service-learning experience. First, discuss any problems with your site supervisor. Next, contact your faculty/instructional staff member to let him/her know about the issue and that you talked with your site supervisor. Be sure to document any problems you have. Above all, keep your faculty/instructional staff member well-informed as to what is happening at your site. Many issues that first look like problems turn out to be learning opportunities.

I’ve enrolled in a service-learning course—what should I expect? How should I prepare myself differently than I would for a “traditional” course?

Service-learning courses place a different set of demands on students. Students should be prepared to serve in/with communities that previously may have been unfamiliar to them. In these settings, students should be mindful of several things:
- You should be absolutely clear as to what is expected of you (as well as what is expected of the community supervisor, faculty/instructional staff member, etc). Be prepared for ambiguity—tasks are less well-defined in a community agency than they would be in a typical classroom.
- Do some homework before beginning at your service site!!! Familiarize yourself with the mission, history, and clientele of your agency (if applicable). This will contribute to a positive service experience.
- Expect your service experience to push your comfort zone, challenge you in new ways that you possibly haven’t experienced before, and hopefully reward you unlike any academic experience you’ve had to date!
- Confirm that you have your own health insurance and coverage, in the event that any liability issues should arise.