University of Nebraska at Omaha
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Assessment & Statistics.
Statistics
The total number of service learning courses offered during the academic year 2010-11 was 121, the largest number in the Academy's history. During this school year, service learning courses were taught in all colleges, including the Graduate College. Since the Academy's inception in 1998, UNO has offered 974 service learning classes.
5 Yr Review-Service Learning Service Data
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During the 2010-11 academic year, the number of students active in service learning reached its highest level with 2,300 UNO students participating.
The P-16 Initiative added over 600 to the 1694 students already registered in courses with a service learning component.
Reasons for Participation in P-16 Courses
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While it may seem a given that UNO students participate in service learning as a course requirement, there are other reasons that motivate students as much, if not more. Helping others, improving the community, and learning about people different than themselves bring the students to these courses.
Assessment
UNO students who participate in service learning courses are offered the opportunity to participate in a research study focused on the impact of service learning. Some of the results from that survey data collected during the 2010-11 school year is shared in the "civic engagement," "academic engagement," and "personal growth" tabs that follow.
Along with documenting the impact of service learning, the data collected from this research is used to:
- develop more effective service learning training and support.
- inform outreach to PK-12 schools and nonprofit organizations in the Omaha community.
- encourage faculty participation and promote scholarship
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Service learning helps students learn about their community and understand the role they can play. When asked about how their service learning experience impacted them, students reported that they learned how to get more involved and what the needs were in their community. Close to 8 out of 10 students felt an enhanced sense of responsibility to serve their community. This heightened sense of civic engagment will continue to benefit these students and their communities into the future.
Click on graph to enlarge.The service learning students also observed that the experience enhanced the relevance of their course work. They saw how the course content could be used in everyday life and understood the connections between their project and course objectives. The community work even helped 3 out of 4 students better understand the lectures. Students confirmed the value of service learning as an educational pedagogy.
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As UNO students look toward completing their studies and pursuing their careers, they recognize that their service learning experience has helped to prepare them for this transition. The service learners report gains in communication, personal responsibility for learning, and comfort in a culturally diverse work force. They also acknowledged gains in their abilities to plan and complete a project as well as problem solve.