Learning embedded with the Carolinian Creed.

Service-learning is mutually rewarding for participants and participating organizations. Students enjoy a sense of community connection while living out the principles of the Carolina Creed in their day-to-day life. Service recipients benefit from professional insight and fresh thinking. 

The hands-on tasks of service transform real-world concerns into avenues for educational growth. The courses, which are an opportunity to test, observe or prove concepts and skills, also can help students earn Graduation with Leadership Distinction (GLD). Service-learning helps prepare students to be full, responsible participants in both their profession and their communities.

The Effects of Service-Learning

Growing research shows that service-learning can have significant positive effects on many areas of students' lives, including:

• Academic performance
• Values
• Self-efficacy
• Leadership
• Choice of a service career
• Plans to participate in service after college
• Increased degree of interest in subject matter
  

 

Contacts

Center for Teaching Excellence

Thomas Cooper Library, Level 5, Room L511

(803) 777-8322

cte@sc.edu

As stated in a resource guide developed by Jimmie Gahagan, service-learning pedagogy emphasizes hands-on learning experiences that address real-world issues as a venue for educational growth. It is an educational philosophy that promotes reciprocal learning and critical engagement components that prepare students to be full and responsible participants within both their profession and learning communities. Within service-learning experiences, students learn how to apply new knowledge that results from academic tasks and providing service to community partners in a way that is distinct from volunteerism and community service. It requires knowledge of pedagogical practices that include planning, instruction, and assessment.

To support faculty to plan, teach, and assess learning in the context of service- learning, the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) offers the following services:

• • establishment of a community of practice that will serve as a venue for interested faculty members to exchange ideas, challenges, and best practices

  • support from CTE’s Instructional Design team that will support faculty to plan, develop, and improve service- learning components embedded in face-to-face, online, blended or flipped courses

  • offerings of professional development sessions that include workshops that will be designed to provide insight into the incorporation of service- learning components within new or existing courses

  • opportunities to present successes and insights related to service- learning at Oktoberbest symposia

Center for Integrative and Experiential Learning

Legare College, Room 120

(803) 777-3272

The Center for Integrative and Experiential Learning is here to help you consider and plan ways to integrate experiential and service-learning opportunities into your courses. Want to get your students out of the classroom and into the community for hands-on learning experiences? CIEL offers logistical support for any providers who are interested in planning or expanding a service-learning or Beyond the Classroom engagement. This could include being connected with community partners, assistance with travel or liability waivers, memorandums of understanding, risk management and campus policy considerations, and more! Fill out this interest form to get started or reach out to our Experiential Learning Coordinator, Laszlo Folks, to establish a plan and timeline that works for you.

Leadership and Service Center

Russell House, Suite 227

(803) 777-7130

lsc@sc.edu

The Leadership and Service Center is here to help you connect with community partners in a meaningful way as part of your service-learning course. Search for local service opportunities through our Community Partner Map. You can filter results based on location and community partner focus areas. Reach out to us to imagine how to create mutually beneficial partnerships within our community as part of your course.