Service Learning in Higher Education

May 18, 2007

Definitions of service learning vary, but core aspects include organized community service that meets a community need and is integrated into a course, and where students engage in structured reflection on their service. Current assessment of service learning outcomes is often done using self-administered surveys, although other methods (e.g. evaluation of writing) are being increasingly used. Evaluations of service learning programs in higher education have attempted to measure: student problem solving, student empathy/intention to help, student perspective on their service learning course, student skills, student values, and community organization outcomes. Short descriptions of different measures are presented, as are two case studies on well-regarded assessment programs at Tufts University and Portland State University. Finally, a review of the literature finds positive student outcomes associated with participation in a service learning course, although few studies employ rigorous methods or incorporate large samples of students.