Service Learning

2007-2008 Academic Year

Service learning is a method of experiential learning that links classroom theory with real-world experience.  This pedagogy provides students with opportunities to use newly-acquired skills and knowledge in real-life situations in their own communities.  The educational institution partners with the community to coordinate thoughtfully-organized service experiences that meet real community needs.  Students can then engage in these projects to learn and develop their skills while helping the community.  Service learning is integrated into students’ academic curricula and allows structured time for students to think, talk, or write about what they did and observed during the service activity.  Service learning projects enhance what is taught in class by extending student learning beyond the classroom.  Furthermore, these projects help to foster the development of students’ social awareness and civic responsibility.

If you wish to include service learning as a course component, the Office of Academic Outreach provides several services to assist you:

• Enrollment of participating students as required by College of Arts and Sciences.
• Orientation of students to requirements and responsibilities of service learning projects.
• Contacts with community agencies, organizations, and schools.
• Placement, placement confirmation, and placement feedback.
• Enrollment in UT Student Professional Liability Insurance.
• Maintenance of student rosters and paperwork associated with service learning projects.
• A resource library of reference materials pertaining to the scholarship of service learning.
• Resources for, and assistance with, project design and syllabus construction.
• Forms:
  • Faculty Guide
  • Instructions for Student Forms
  • Student Enrollment Form for Service Learning Experiences
  • Student Guidelines for Service Learning
  • Service Learning Referral & Emergency Form
  • Service Learning Standards for Community Agencies and Schools
  • Student Professional Liability Insurance
• Annotated Bibliography
• Sample Syllabi
  • Carol Harden
  • John Nolt
• Resource personnel for service learning:
  • Kim Midkiff, Coordinator of Service Learning
  • Lynn Champion, Director of Academic Outreach and Communiciations
  • Don Cox, Executive Associate Dean
  • John Zomchick , Associate Dean for Academic Personnel

Contact Information

Ms. Kim Midkiff
Coordinator of Academic Outreach & Service Learning
Office of Academic Outreach & Communications
College of Arts & Sciences
2-A Alumni Memorial Building
Knoxville, TN 37996-1320

Phone: (865) 974-4676
Email: kmidkiff@utk.edu