Problem-Based Service-Learning:
A Curriculum Development Institute

2010 Institute on January 7-8 at Middlebury College

View the PBSL brochure with application, or just the application which is due
November 20, 2009. To pay by credit card, also use the additional credit card payment form.

Problem-based service-learning is a rigorous integration of service-learning with real-life problem-solving in curriculum design and teaching. The Problem-Based approach emphasizes project design, community partner relations, building classroom community, building student capacity and ownership, project management, assessment of learning, and reflection and connection.

In addition to providing you with strategies, tools and ideas for designing meaningful experiences for their students, this Institute includes time over the course of the two days to work on converting standard courses to service-learning courses, or improving current service-learning courses. This Institute is appropriate for all faculty, beginners as well as seasoned practitioners of service-learning. It has been our past experience that this training has provided faculty with the resources and the opportunities to become service-learning leaders on their campuses and around the state of Vermont.

• Service-Learning Definition
• PBSL Continuum
• Questions on Continuum & Four Models of PBSL

  Project Design
• Building Community
• Problem Statement Worksheet
• Community Partner Relations
• Building Student Capacity
• Project Management
• Assessment
• Reflection
• Problem Statement Template

Sample 8-Part PBSL Model

• Downloadable Word document
• PDF version

Sample Syllabi and Assignments

• Entity Requirements
• Scope Statement
• Communications Plan Template
• Project Risk Categorization Worksheet
• Risk Identification - SWOT Anal

For more than 8 years participants have been benefiting from the intense, interactive sessions that make up the PBSL Institute.

Co-sponsored by:

This institute was one of the most powerful training programs in which I have participated. I especially appreciated the concrete examples and case studies, which gave me ideas for modifying my own courses immediately, the practical suggestions for developing partnerships between institutions of higher education and community organizations, and meeting colleagues at other institutions of higher education in Vermont with whom I have stayed in contact.
-Tom Hudspeth, Professor, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, UVM

2009 Problem-Based Service-Learning Institute