How do we approach SL at the UAB?

Within the framework of the University’s social responsibility, through which it undertakes to improve the community environment, service-learning (SL) is an educational approach through which students learn by taking part in a project aimed at addressing a real community need and improving the living conditions of people or the quality of the environment. With SL, students make a commitment as part of an experience in which learning is also linked to their academic curriculum, the development of personal skills and a real and potentially sustainable service for the community.

SL involves identifying a social, environmental or cultural need, acting to address this need and engaging in a process of reflection that links the practical experience to theoretical knowledge, raises awareness and helps the students position themselves within their social environment.

This section explains which activities may be considered SL and the indicators that must be used to qualitatively assess the activities.

Areas of activity

Students

Requirements

• Contribution to the community.
• Heightened awareness upon taking part in activities that benefit the community.
• Evidence of assimilation of the curricular competences.
• Proof of engagement in a process of reflection.

Added value

• Involvement in the detection of needs.
• Involvement in designing the intervention.
• The student chooses SL from other options.

Community project

Requirements

• Service is provided in the context of a non-profit activity.
• It responds to a real and recognised need.
• Its aim is to improve the community.
• Proof of the community service’s impact.

Added value

• It actively involves members of the community.
• It is sustainable beyond the students’ intervention.
• There is explicit recognition from the community.