20 Provocative Questions

20 Provacative Questions to Help You Think About Service Learning

1. What changes would you like to see in students as a result of incorporating Service Learning instructional activities in your course?
2. If you successfully implement Service Learning pedagogy in a course, what would it look like? Write a clear description of a specific learning outcome that would occur if your goal is met.
3. What are some of your reasons for wanting to incorporate service activities into your teaching? Which of your reasons are more important to you? Which are least important?
4. What skills, knowledge, resources and values do you already have which will assist you in incorporating Service Learning pedagogy?
5. What additional skills, knowledge, and resources do you need to successfully incorporate Service Learning activities?
6. Is there anyone at the university-especially in your department-with whom you might consult before implementing Service Learning instructional activities? Is there someone who may be able to give you advice or suggestions?
7. To what extent are the objectives of Service Learning compatible with the needs and values of students in your department? How are they incompatible with your students' needs and values?
8. Do you require special equipment, space, transportation, or personnel support to implement your course plans or to implement Service Learning on a departmental and/or institutional level?
9. Can your Service Learning plans be adjusted to fit your class period or course schedule?
10. How will students be grouped in your Service Learning plan (individualized, small groups, pairs, a combination)?
11. What are some of the advantages/disadvantages to your students of your Service Learning plan? How flexible is your design?
12.  What existing university and community resources are available to support your Service Learning plans?
13. What knowledge, skills, and interests should students possess to be able to use your Service Learning pedagogy successfully? Are there types of students you would not recommend participate in Service Learning activities?
14.  How will expressed community needs be met in your Service Learning plan?
15.  In what ways will community-based representatives participate in your Service Learning plans? In what ways can students contribute to the selection and implementation of service activities?
16.  What reasonable accommodations can you make to adapt your Service Learning design to fit the needs and interests of students with special needs? Is your plan able to reasonably accommodate students with physical and/or cognitive disabilities?
17. Does your Service Learning plan contain potentially controversial material? If so, what are ways of dealing with such controversial issues?
18. What risks or dangers will students be exposed to while participating in off-campus Service Learning activities? In what ways will you deal with these? Have you consulted your university policies pertaining to insurance, etc.?
19. What policy or procedural considerations must be established before implementing Service Learning activities?
20.  What services could university administrators, alumni associations, development offices, campus ministries, student life offices, etc. provide to assist you in your Service Learning efforts? 

 

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