Service-Learning and Learning Communities: Tools for Integration and Assessment

"This publication attempts to provide fundamental theory about service-learning and learning communities, along with descriptions of best practices, lessons learned, and assessment strategies. The text is designed to provide resources to help readers offer service-learning experiences for their students. Learning communities are now commonly structured into colleges and universities across the United States, and research suggests that they increase student engagement and persistence. Coupling learning communities and service learning provides contexts for learning and deepens students' learning experiences, but it requires adjustments to the organization, management, and planning of activities for the course."