What are appropriate tasks for service learning placements?
Students’ placement tasks should be relevant to the learning goals of their course. For example, if a student is serving at your agency for a Spanish class, she should perform tasks that will allow her to speak or practice Spanish, translate or interpret, or learn about your agency’s role within the Latino community. In all cases, however, we prefer that students have at least some degree of contact with the population your agency serves or exposure to the issues your agency addresses. Clerical tasks such as filing papers, bookkeeping, and answering phones are acceptable occasionally, but only if the student spends an equal or greater amount of time on tasks which enhance course learning goals.
Students’ placement tasks should always be relevant to the learning goals of their course. For example, if a student is serving at your agency for a Spanish class, she should perform tasks that will allow her to speak Spanish or learn about your agency’s role within the Latino community. In all cases, we prefer that students have at least some degree of contact with the population your agency serves or exposure to the issues your agency addresses. Clerical tasks such as filing papers, bookkeeping, and answering phones are acceptable occasionally, but only if the student spends an equal or greater amount of time in more interactive settings.
