Service-learning is high-impact, hands-on learning where students apply academic knowledge and skills through real-world service experiences that benefit the community. Students reflect on the service activity to deepen their understanding of course content, gain a broader appreciation of the discipline, and foster active community engagement.
- Activities that Qualify as Service-Learning at Boise State University.
- Examples & Snapshots of Service-Learning: Service-Learning examples and ideas.
- Types of Service-Learning: A range of client contact and project-based service.
- Course formats: Optional, required, or 1 credit “SL Lab”.
- Internships vs. Service-Learning: Their primary purposes are different.
How does it work?
Faculty members collaborate with community partners to provide experiences that enhance student learning while meeting a community need. Service-Learning (SL) staff provide support before, during, and after the semester.
- Support services for participants: SL staff is here to help.
- Best Practices for Service-Learning: Evidence-based practices to promote success.
- Roles & responsibilities: Who does what?
- Risk & safety for Service-Learning: Tips, forms, and policies.
- What the research says about the effects of Service-Learning and community-engaged learning.
Why do it?
Service-Learning impacts the community, students, faculty, and beyond. It is grounded in theory and research.
- Benefits of Service-Learning: Some benefits are immediate, and others are long-term, deep, and far-ranging.
- Theoretical Foundations of Service-Learning: From Dewey to Friere, SL is grounded in academic theory.
- Lenses of Service-Learning: People get involved with SL for a variety of reasons: technical, cultural, political, or post-modern.