You are still in charge of what class time is used for. Students can reflect on the experience outside class through journals and logs, and more formal papers. Research, however, indicates that devoting time in class to discussing experiences that emerge from the service experience will increase student learning and satisfaction with the course. If the students’ experiences become text for the class, they will integrate what they are learning as they discuss, make connections to course materials, and listen to the experience of others (Hatcher, 1998).

Hatcher, J.A., Ed. (1998) Service-Learning tip sheets: A faculty resource guide, Indiana Campus Compact: Indianapolis, IN.

Contributed by JoAnn Campbell, Community Outreach and Partnerships in Service-Learning, Indiana University.