Service-learning experiences involve many factors, some which are beyond your control. It’s wise to deliberately check in with both students and community partners… at least every few weeks.
Tips:
- Provide a timeline. Students need benchmarks for contacting the community partner, and beginning and completing the service.
- Have a back-up plan for students who miss orientations, start dates, or encounter unexpected challenges. Sometimes the time delays are due to community partners’ constraints; these can be teachable moments about how to flex and redirect to what’s possible. SL staff can help faculty work through these challenges.
- Contact the community partner(s) at least once mid-semester to exchange feedback.
- Assess student progress using a “five-minute check-in” or some other formative assessment.
Recommended timeframe: Weeks six, nine, and eleven.
See Suggested questions for a five-minute check-in.