Impact of Service-Learning
Reflection & Assessment of Service-Learning’s Impact on Students
Assessment is a critical element of every learning experience; service learning is
no different. Assessment serves to track, reinforce, and evaluate learning. Perhaps a unique attribute
to service learning, assessment is best implemented in three phases. The first phase,
reflection before experience, should prepare students for their experience. The broad array of opportunities in
the Central Valley can make this a daunting task. However, having selected agencies
based on your learning objectives, preparing students will be manageable. Start
by listing what requisite skills are required? What is unique about this population?
Some preparatory methods to equip your students include case studies, small group
activities, and large group discussions.
Secondly, you would want to employ a formative assessment with reflection during experience. Methods used to assess learning during the experience often center on journals, critical incident reports, and discussions. However, there are a many other techniques
you could use such as problem-based learning, audio-visual presentations, and others.
Finally, you’d probably want to provide a summative evaluation in the form of a reflection after experience. A variety of methods can be used to assess a service-learning experience. It is important
to include an element of that assessment targeting the quality of the experience.
Much like we ask students to evaluate instructors, we should enlist their input into
the quality of their agency.