DEFINITION

Academic service-learning is a pedagogical model that intentionally integrates academic learning and relevant participation in the community. This pedagogical model fully integrates academic and community-based learning as students make worthwhile contributions in the community. Students may have a direct impact, e.g. helping school nurses inoculate schoolchildren - or an indirect impact, e.g. conducting community-based research with a nonprofit organization.


KEY ELEMENTS

An academic service-learning curriculum comprises three essential ingredients: student involvement in the community, strengthening course-related academic learning, and educating for democratic citizenship / civic participation. This last ingredient - educating for democratic citizenship/civic participation - distinguishes academic service-learning from many internships, practica, and other experiences that involve both student participation in the community and strengthening academic learning.

1. Student Involvement in the Community

• Prepare and train students for entering communities
  
• Insure that student activity is co-defined by the community
  
• Focus on assets, not deficits, of the community and its members
  
• Build reciprocal relationships with community partners
  
• Where appropriate, sustain efforts over time
  

2. Enhanced Academic Learning


• Include student community involvement only if it serves course learning objectives
  
• Service and academic goals inform and transform each other
  
• Community service is a context for both the generation and application of knowledge
  
• Student learning paradigm shifts from private and individualized to public and collective, strengthening sense of social responsibility
  
• Instructional paradigm shifts from directive to facilitative so as to utilize students' community-based learning and to involve students in active learning
  

3. Education for Democratic Citizenship


• Active citizen participation is a foundation of democracy
  
• Service-learning enhances cross-cultural understanding
  
• Students develop an ethic of care and a sense of efficacy
  
  

For more information on University of Michigan Academic Service Learning programs and principles, please visit the University of Michigan Edward Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning.