Comparing SL/CE Options
This page is designed to aid in clarification among four primary modes of connecting courses to our community (and while we primarily focus on our local region, we define community in the broadest sense, from our geographic neighbors to anywhere on the planet, even the air above it).
If you've not already done so, we encourage you to check out details on the pedagogical aspects of SL/CE. Two great pages to start with are the Instructors' Resources and the ABCs of SL/CE.
Designation Overview
-
Course offerings that involve active engagement in the community that supplements and reinforces learning without a service component may qualify for the "Community Engagement" course certification.
The CE course designation indicates that students are actively engaged in their community for at least 4 hours over the course of the semester, engage in reflection tying this engagement to core course content, and overtly consider one SL/CE career readiness SLO as a part of their learning experience.
-
Course offerings that involve 4-14 hours of service to the community in a way that supplements and reinforces learning as a rough equivalent to homework may qualify for the "Service Engagement" course certification.
The SE course designation indicates that students serve in the community for at least 4 hours over the course of the semester, engage in reflection tying this engagement to core course content, and overtly consider one SL/CE career readiness SLO as a part of their learning experience.
-
Course offerings that involve 15-25 hours of service to the community such that the service is integral to student learning - roughly equivalent to the textbook and class discussion - may qualify for the "Service Learning" course certification.
The SL course designation indicates that students serve in the community for at least 15 hours over the course of the semester, engage in reflection tying this engagement to core course content, and overtly consider two SL/CE career readiness SLOs as a part of their learning experience.
CE, SE, SL Chart
The chart below is also available as a PDF: CE vs. SE vs. SL
| GREAT STUFF (not officially SL/CE) |
Community Engagement (CE) |
Service Engagement (SE) |
Service Learning (SL) |
|
Use authentic community materials, and lead students to apply course materials to community issues |
GS PLUS Actively connect with the community. Dialogue with community partners. Reflect on connections between content and community |
CE PLUS Students provide some product or service desired by the community (Service = 4-14 hours) |
SE PLUS Students connect with community throughout the process with significant outcome (Service = 15-25 hours) |
| Example 1 | Statistics | ||
|
Pull public (or privately provided) data about the community. |
GS PLUS Interact with community stakeholders connected to the data (ideally lecture & discussion). Critically reflect on implications of the data |
CE PLUS Report findings back in a format requested by the community member |
SE PLUS Work with the community member to gather, coordinate, analyze, package new and/or existing data relevant to discipline and course content in a client/co-creator role. Report back meaningfully throughout the process and produce an agreed-upon final product |
| Example 2 | Aging | ||
|
Read personal stories from local people in nursing homes. |
GS PLUS Visit one or more local nursing homes. Converse with the residents. Critically reflect on implications of these conversations |
CE PLUS Work under the direction of the activities director to orchestrate and run one program activity for the residents |
SE PLUS Work with the activities director to create a series of activities that actualize discipline and course content. As a class, implement series, and analyze its success |