FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(FAQS) FOR FACULTY
Our office is always more than happy to answer any additional questions you have about our program and ways we can work together. If you have any additional questions, please contact us at [email protected].
Will my students be able to juggle time for service-learning on top of school, work, and other activities?
Though college life can be very busy for a student, many of our Service-Learners ARE able to fit the hours necessary to complete the program. By asking for a minimum of 20 hours per semester, we are giving them the opportunity to serve as little as 2 hours per week on average, giving them plenty of time to manage their time well. Some of the students that complete the required hours even continue to volunteer after the course is finished. In addition, our program has many partners with different needs and different shifts for our students, so there is a lot of flexibility.
should i make service-learning an option or a requirement to my course?
Both approaches can be beneficial to the student - as a requirement, students can be exposed to a potentially new experience and the hands-on learning and they can discuss as a group their experiences with this program; however, some of the students may not necessarily be attracted to community service work, or have the character for it. As an option, Service-Learning can empower the student, as (s)he may feel that (s)he has a voice in the type of learning (s)he prefers, whether it's the option to write a research paper, or replace this research paper for Service-Learning hours.
how do i grade my students on service-learning? their experiences will all be so different!
The purpose of Service-Learning is for students to utilize that which they learn through their courses and connect it to the community issue they are facing at their service site; they are learning what is taught in your course by doing service in the community. One tool that helps professors in grading Service-Learning is assigning a specific amount of journals for the Service-Learning students to write every semester, and grade such according to the quantity that was turned in at the end. The final reflection essay, which students write at the end of the semester as requirement to comply to our program, is also a tool that shows if Service-Learners are using what they have learned in class and applying it at the site of service.
how many hours will my students need to do during the semester? why?
KCC's Service-Learning Program requires a minimum of 20 hours of commitment per semester. Some of our professors require 25 hours or more. Also, some of our organizations, due to the nature of their program, may require a longer commitment (i.e. Waikiki Aquarium, Big Brothers Big Sisters). By asking for the students to do at least 20 hours, the student(s) will have more time to understand and apply the course objectives, and the organization will also benefit from the time the student(s) will spend there.
will service-learning be appropriate for my developmental/entry-level course? how?
Absolutely! Any student can benefit from a Service-Learning experience, so long that the site can be related to the course. Our office can help you and your students in finding an organization that accord with the different levels.
what happens if one of my students has an accident or causes damage at a service-learning site?
During orientation, the students are given a “Required Waiver and Release Form” which they must sign stating that they are aware of the risks they can encounter, “including property damage, personal injury, and death” and that they “assume all risks and responsibilities surrounding this project.” In addition, our office has directly visited all partner-sites, and when becoming partners with them, our students’ safety has always been top priority.
what can i do to make the service-learning experience smoother for my students?
There are many ways you can help your students enjoy their Service-Learning experience: you can do in-class reflection, which can help them reflect on their time spent in the community and practice skills such observation and critical thinking; keeping active communication with our office also can help in questions students may have about the process of the program. Again, we are here with any help you may need to make this a successful experience for you and your students! Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.