Is Service Learning the right partnership for you?

Do I have the capacity to support a service learning partnership?

A service learning partnership is intended to be an ongoing collaboration between UConn faculty and their community partner. Frequent communication is expected, along with cooperation on student learning. An ideal partnership also engages community partners in the classroom and honors the wisdom that is held outside of the school.

What kind of work would I like students to engage in?

There are three primary types of service learning: direct, indirect, and civic action, or advocacy. It is wise to consider what kind of service you hope students will engage in within your organization. Consideration should be given to the abilities of students, the sustainable nature of the service, and the most immediate needs of your organization.

1. Direct: Students are in direct contact with people and/or organizations. For example, tutoring for the Boys and Girls Club.

2. Indirect: Students engage with a cause or a community need through means that do not involve having constant contact with beneficiaries. For example, conducting market research, designing a study, or creating a website.

3. Civic Action or Advocacy: Students are allowed to effect change in public policy. For example, presenting at a town safety meeting or a legislative public hearing.

Adapted from Furco, A. (1996). Service learning: A balanced approach to experiential education. Expanding boundaries: Service and Learning. Corporation for National Service.

What questions should you ask a prospective faculty partner?

• What are the learning outcomes you have for students, and how will our partnership support them?

• How will service factor into students’ grades? What will messaging look like to students as it relates to their service?

• What kind of commitment are you willing to make to my organization/program? What could a sustainable, ongoing partnership look like for us?

• What will resource sharing look like with this partnership?

• How can I support student learning in this course?

• What kind of evaluations could we conduct to measure the success of my program and our partnership?

Still interested but unsure about service learning?

Please, reach out! We’re happy to answer any questions you have about service learning. Suppose you don’t think service learning is the right fit for you, but you’re still interested in hosting UConn students as volunteers. In that case, we recommend contacting UConn’s Office of Community Outreach. If you’re still interested in working with faculty, but not in a course-based experience, UConn Extension might also be a good fit.

Become a Service Learning Partner

If you would like to become a community service learning partner, fill out our interest form. Please note that it may take up to six months to evaluate your project and match you with a suitable course. In the meantime, we may be able to meet your needs through a student’s independent study.