Examples | Expectations | Working with students
Service-learning basics
Service-learning is an academic. It is designed to connect students experiential opportunities
within the community. Service-learners are expected to use the knowledge and skills
they gain in the classroom and apply it to addressing social issues. Students earn
course credit. Community organizations get easy access to quality help. Win-win.
Correct examples of service-learning
There are some things to keep in mind to ensure that service-learning is a good experience
for everyone. We want to make sure it is advanced enough to challenge our students
(learning) and goal-oriented enough to be useful for our partners (service). Here
are a few examples:
Reducing obesity
✘ Coordinating a community marathon is service.
✘ Measuring body mass index is learning.
✔ Calculating the average BMI of a school, setting up a website to gather statistics,
then organizing a “Walk across North Carolina” to help reduce obesity is service-learning.
Pollution solutions
✘ Picking up trash on a riverbank is service.
✘ Studying water samples under a microscope is learning.
✔ Science students collecting and analyzing water samples, documenting their results
and presenting their findings to a local pollution control agency is service-learning.
What to expect from our students
Our service-learning students are most often a cut above. The fact that they're working
with us means they are taking their education and career development seriously.
- Motivated by passion, career interests, and course credit
- Still developing skills, ready to learn
- Guided and supported by staff at Missouri State
- Ready to network and mindful of workforce
- Prepared with advising and orientation before placement
- Highly trainable
What students expect
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To test career choices
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Gain “real life” experience
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Build résumé material
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Apply theories and concepts learned in class
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Collect contacts & references
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Make a difference with actual community issues
Working with students
You know what you need best. Here are some tips that we hope can help you communicate
to us exactl what you're looking for as well as some additional items to consider
when seeking service-learning students.
Planning and preparation
- Decide on how many students your organization needs. Remember that students can offer
40-hours during a semester, which is about 17 weeks during fall or spring.
- Consider providing us with a copy of your organization’s mission statement so we can
share it with students and give them a good overview of who you are and what you do.
- Think about developing position descriptions that outline tasks, responsibilities
and expectations clearly. This way, the student knows what to expect and is committed
to something in writing.
- Keep in mind that students need a service experience that complements their academics.
Be ready to get questions and a hunger for knowledge from our service-learners.
Schedule a meeting
- Our office requires all service-learning students to set up a meeting with their partner
before work begins.
- Use this opportunity to find out more about the students and share with them about
your organization and how they can contribute to your mission.
- Discuss the students’ role, including specific expectations.
- Review policies, rules, dress codes, work schedules and other important information.
- Include a tour of the facility, if possible.
Keep in mind student schedules
- Agree upon the number of working hours, days and times well ahead of time. Students
will appreciate this a ton and it also helps our tracking process.
- Give advanced notice of necessary schedule changes, if possible.
- Talk to the student about academic holidays. Without a conversation, they'll be so
out of town the minute Thanksgiving hits, which may not line up with your break (if
you even get one - we know how it goes).
Communicate
- Give students regular feedback about their work and acknowledge their contributions.
Assessment and positive reinforcement go hand-in-hand with academics.
- Stay in contact! Successes, concerns and suggestions - we're never too busy to talk
to a partner. We will make time for it.
- Update your records with our office when there are changes so we can give students
accurate information about your organization.
