Morgridge Center for Public Service

The Morgridge Center for Public Service supports service-learning as an effective and innovative teaching methodology for various disciplines.

At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, service-learning is congruous with the Wisconsin Idea and the Wisconsin Experience. Each academic school year, the Morgridge Center consistently identifies over 100 service-learning / community-based research sections of courses taught at UW-Madison.

What students are saying about service-learning courses

In a Spring 2008 survey of 74 service-learners, 100% of respondents characterized their service experience as a positive one, and over 90% of respondents indicated they “got more” out of the s-l/cbr course than a “traditional” lecture course. Quotes from Spring 2008 service-learners:

“It is one thing to sit in a classroom and learn about something, but when you are actually out in the real world applying what you have learned to certain situations you definitely get more out of the class.”
“The service-learning I did focused on the area I hope to specialize in. It helped me confirm that I was making a choice that I will always have an interest in, and something that I am passionate about.”
“[The best part of my service-learning experience was] getting to work with people and do something outside of my comfort zone, and to become closer friends with someone who could offer me a completely different perspective on life.”

Resources:

Are you interested in… teaching a service-learning or community-based research course? Finding S-l/cbr publishing venues? Viewing service-learning course syllabi by topic? Finding funding sources for your s-l/cbr course? Getting ideas for reflection activities?

Many resources exist for you via the Morgridge Center for Public Service. For a complete list, please see the Faculty Resources page of our website.

Morgridge Center Faculty Resources Quicklinks:

For additional information, contact:

Michael Thornton, Faculty Director
mcthornt@wisc.edu, 608-262-0787

Randy Wallar, Associate Director
jrwallar@wisc.edu, 608-262-5781

Service Learning

What students are saying about service-learning courses

Resources:

Morgridge Center Faculty Resources Quicklinks:

For additional information, contact: