Why service-learning?

Service-learning is an opportunity for faculty members to pair academic instruction with community engagement. Our model of service-learning aims to build reciprocal relationship between community partner organizations and the university, while also fostering rich learning experiences for students.

Here are our top 3 reasons why you should implement service-learning into your course:

1) Service-learning enhances student learning

In service learning students are able to:

• connect academic content with hands-on experience
• increase their sense of self-efficacy and develop their analytical skills
• challenge personal and social assumptions, values and beliefs
• develop deliberative, collaborative, and leadership skills
• consider the civic, moral and ethical implications of the application of knowledge in professional and civic life
• learn from community-based professionals with expertise in addressing social issues and
  the communities they work within

2) Service-learning gives instructors the opportunity to develop pedagogically

In developing a service learning course, instructors can:

• engage with local communities
• increase civic responsibility and action
• develop and implement a new pedagogy
• promote inclusive teaching
• diversify one’s teaching style to include different learning styles
• transform the curriculum to include diverse perspectives

3) Service-learning helps support community partners as they work to address community needs

By participating in service learning community partners can:

• expand their base of volunteers
• work with students who are enthusiastic and motivated to learn and bring with them new insights, perspectives, and knowledge
• help shape student learning and knowledge of their surrounding community
• connect with University of Washington students, faculty and staff in meaningful ways
• educate and inform University of Washington students and faculty about issues of importance to their organization and the population(s) they work with.