Civic Engagement
Service-Learning
Service-learning is a form of experiential education in which
students engage in activities that address human and community
needs together with structured opportunities intentionally
designed to promote student learning and development.
Reflection and reciprocity are key concepts of service-learning. Service-learning is effective in both instilling civic
responsibility in students and helping them comprehend and
synthesize course material.
Towson University has
identified service-learning as a means to help
students become engaged and active citizens.
Service-learning is supported through the Department
of Civic Engagement at Towson. Department staff assist faculty, students, and community
organizations who would like to learn more about
service-learning and available resources and services. For an overview of the
recent history of service-learning at Towson
University please view the
History of Service-Learning Presentation.
Service-Learning Resources for Faculty
Download
"Service-Learning at Towson University: A Resource for Faculty"
Service-Learning Faculty Fellows Program
The Service Learning Faculty Fellows program
provides support for TU faculty interested in creating a new
service-learning course or incorporating a significant service
learning component into an existing course.
Service-Learning Grant Opportunity for Fall 2009 & Spring 2010
Faculty
are eligible to apply for grant money to support
service-learning course activities. Funds should be used to
allow a professor to “take a course to the next level” in regard
to service-learning and permit the class to engage in relevant
activities it would otherwise be unable to complete.
Service-Learning Programs Abroad
The Towson University Study Abroad Office has many opportunities to
participate in service-learning courses all over the world.
Reflection Quotes from TU Students Engaged in Service-Learning
“As a teacher candidate it was nice to be a part of the ‘real
world’ at the zoo …. 'educating' people. I’d encourage all
fields to have the same sort of service learning. What better
way to learn than to be a part of the real world interacting
with real people. This whole course has been quite the treat and
having been in classrooms my whole life I feel that the
experiences gained cannot be compared if this course was
classroom only.”
“The experience also reminded me why I want to be a teacher. The
joy of teaching is imparting knowledge on others and seeing that
their excitement matches your own. I think everyone should
experience a service learning project no matter their program.
Service learning helps you to appreciate your community and it
makes you feel good to know that you have done a good thing.”
“Service learning experiences are definitely valuable to all
students, in both the education program and almost every other
program I can think. They provide the student with a meaningful,
engaging experience that enhances the learning process. They are
a great way to give back to the community. They also are a
wonderful opportunity for students to apply their learnings, and
gain deeper, relational understandings of content.”
“This experience would be of great value to continue with future
TU students.”
“I personally think service learning should be included in all
of Towson classes. This did connect to my degree program and I
really loved it. Service learning gives you a sense of
achievement, excitability, and a job well done.”
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