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For
faculty, service-learning:
• Encourages more interactive teaching methods and reciprocal
learning between students and faculty
• Adds new insights and dimensions to class discussions
• Develops students’ civic and leadership skills
• Fosters relationships between faculty and Laredo
community-based organizations that can open opportunities for
other collaborative work
• Provides firsthand knowledge of community issues and
opportunities to become more socially active
• Leads to new avenues for research and publication
• Provides networking opportunities with engaged faculty in other
disciplines
• Expands research and writing skills in the service-learning field.
Participating in service-learning can also benefit
community partners
by:
• Providing additional human resources needed to achieve goals
• Bringing fresh energy, enthusiasm, and new perspectives to the
organization’s work
• Enhancing future volunteer recruitment as service-learners share
their experiences with friends and classmates
• Increasing public awareness about issues the organization
focueses on
• Offering an opportunity to challenge students’ perceptions and
educate them about community issues
• Helping prepare today’s students to be tomorrow’s civic leaders
• Helping their organizations identify and access other University
resources and build relationships with faculty, students, and staff.
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How can I begin planning my service-learning course?
Integrating service-learning into your courses requires careful thought
and planning ahead of time, and consistent attention throughout the
semester. Remember that service-learning is an integration to your
course not an addition. Keep the following in mind as you design a
service-learning course: