University of Nebraska at Omaha
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additional resources.
general faq.
Service-Learning
- What is service-learning?
- What is the difference between Service-Learning and an Internship/Practicum or Volunteer Opportunity?
- How does service-learning benefit me?
The Service-Learning Academy Program
- How does UNO's service-learning program differ from high school programs?
- What service-learning courses are currently offered at UNO?
- What is the role of the Service-Learning Academy?
What is service-learning?
Service-learning integrates community service with academic study. Typically, professors design service-learning projects in partnership with representatives of community organizations, planning activities that will meet genuine needs in the community and advance the students' understanding of course content. In the community setting, students work as volunteers; on campus, they reflect on their experience, considering its relationship to their reading and research as well as its impact on their personal values and professional goals.
What is the difference between Service-Learning and an Internship/Practicum or Volunteer Opportunity?
The primary focus of service-learning is to provide a deeper understanding of theories and course content studied in a particular class. The goal of an internship/practicum is to provide students a practical work experience in a field of interest to them. A volunteer opportunity is the most flexible option where students spend between one day a year to one day a week at an organization whose mission they find interesting. Volunteer opportunities are generally unpaid positions with a local non-profit community agency.
How does service-learning benefit me?
Service-learning has benefits for all participants: community, faculty, and students. See our individual sections about service-learning for more information:
How does UNO's service-learning program differ from high school programs?
Many high schools recommend or require that their students participate in community service. Usually, students volunteer at community agencies, then reflect on the experience, often by writing about it or by making a brief presentation to classmates. At the K-12 level, service-learning is typically something students do in addition to taking classes.
At the university level, service-learning is typically an activity students undertake in the context of their classes. Since it's important that service-learning activities meet the needs of the community (as defined by the community) and advance the students' understanding of the course content (as defined by the professor), the activities may require more collaborative planning.
Another difference between K-12 and university-level service learning is, of course, that university students are adults, so they can contribute to the community through a wider variety of activities to which they bring greater skills and judgment.
What service-learning courses are offered at UNO?
Many departments at UNO offer practicums or internships at community-based organizations. If you've chosen a major, check with your advisor for opportunities in your field. On this site you can also look at the list of service-learning courses currently offered or check the list of service-learning courses previously offered.
What is the role of the Service-Learning Academy?
The Role of the Service-Learning Academy is to...
- Refer new faculty to experienced service-learning faculty mentors and strive to strengthen the community of service-learning faculty.
- Provide classroom orientation and reflection sessions as requested.
- Consult on logistical, risk management, and troubleshooting issues as available.
- Provide information on funding resources related to the service-learning as they become available.
- Encourage faculty members to give students evaluations of the service-learning project.
- Inform faculty of resource and recognition opportunities via the facdev listserv, and ENOTES (the university newsletter for faculty and staff).
- Maintain and share a current roster of service-learning faculty and courses.
- Maintains the Service-Learning Academy web site.
