Best Practices for Service-Learning Projects

Service Hour Log for students tracking participation in service-learning activities

Best practices for service-learning:

1. Academic Content: Establish and achieve learning objectives that integrate student learning and community impact
2. Engagement: Meet a recognized need in the community to successfully meet a public good
3. Reciprocity: Encourage all students, faculty, and community members to act as both teachers and learners to create a mutual impact and empower community voice 
4. Exposure to Diversity: Facilitate exposure to diversity to allow for personal outcomes, such as identity development and cultural understanding
5. Public Dissemination: Share the results with the partner and/or the public community
6. Reflection: Provide a way for students to express their thoughts and feelings about their experiences, such as discussion and journaling. 

Tips for developing and maintaining a healthy partnership:

1. State specific and agreed upon mission, values, goals, and outcomes
2. Develop mutual respect, trust, and commitment
3. Build on strengths and assets to build capacity 
4. Define your roles explicitly 
5. Balance power and share resources
6. Maintain clear and open communication
7. Ensure feedback among all stakeholders
8. Share the credit