Models of Service Learning
From: Virginia Tech. Service Learning Website.
Course Option |
Description |
Example |
4th Credit Option |
The fourth credit option is a model that allows a student to add a community service component to an existing course for an additional credit hour. |
Introduction to Women's Studies once offered students the chance to earn an extra credit by volunteering with an organization serving women and writing a journal of their experiences.
|
Placement |
The placement model integrates an optional or required community service component in an existing course. Students select a service placement from a menu of options. |
Professionalism in Computing offers students the chance to fulfill course requirements by providing technology education or assistance to schools and other nonprofits.
|
Service-Centered |
The service-centered model builds a course around a community service experience. |
Crossing the Border Through Service-Learning links Spanish language students with the immigrant Hispanic community. Students' outreach is supplemented with extensive writing and reading.
|
Service-Leadership |
The service-leadership model connects community service with the development of leadership skills and competencies. |
Exploring Leadership Praxis sections involves students in a variety of team projects that require leadership and student initiative, as an extension of their class work.
|
Problem Based |
The problem based model incorporates the actual product of service with the course objectives. |
Technical Writing requires students to produce materials for nonprofits, which are then evaluated against course objectives.
|
Action Research |
The action research model makes the study of community problems and the application of research findings the center of service-learning activities. |
Stroubles Creek Watershed Initiative is an interdisciplin-ary research project that monitors the Stroubles Creek Watershed in order to identify problems and remove it from the impaired waters list.
|
Disciplinary Capstone |
The disciplilnary capstone model invites students to demonstrate their accumulated knowledge in a specific discipline through a project. |
The Leadership minor in Management offers a capstone course that allows students to choose and implement a hands-on experience as a culmination of their work in the program.
|
Adapted from "Service-Learning in the Curriculum" by Sandra L. Enos and Marie L. Troppe in Service-Learning in Higher Education, pp.156-181.
|
