ManageBac+ provides a flexible Service Learning (SL) framework that allows schools to design programmes aligned with their educational philosophy and local requirements.

This guide covers both school-wide configurations and year group–specific settings to help you fully customise the SL experience for students, teachers, and administrators.

Overview

This guide is intended for administrators and coordinators configuring Service Learning programmes in ManageBac+.

Settings can be applied at both a school-wide level and customised further for each year group, ensuring flexibility and consistency across your programme.

What's New

• Customisable Service Learning frameworks and activity structures
• Flexible service types with hour tracking guidelines
• Editable terminology aligned with school context
• Configurable learning outcomes and reflection questions
• Optional term-based Service Learning evaluation and rubrics
• Automated engagement reminders for students

Step-by-Step Navigation

Configure Service Learning

Settings > select Programme > Service Learning > Overview

The Overview page allows you to predefine labels for your project.

1. Title - refers to the name of the SL project. It will be visible across ManageBac+ for all users (teachers, parents, and students)
2. Abbreviation - the abbreviation is used to avoid repetition and in places where there isn't enough space to display the title
3. Icon - from the dropdown menu select an icon that describes your programme. The icon will be displayed on the student profile and Year Group calendar
4. Description - is an optional field that will be displayed on the right navigational menu of the project page for both teachers and students
5. Save changes.

Configure Service Learning Framework

Settings > select Programme > Service Learning > Framework

1. Aims & Goals Statement - if enabled the students will be prompted to enter their Aims & Goals for the project. The textbox in the image above is for admin to provide optional guidance to students on how to fill in their Aims & Goals. This guidance will be displayed on the student view.
2. Awards - create custom awards that can be awarded to students
3. Learning Outcomes - outcomes are to be tracked across activities during the duration of the project. A student's completion depends on their coverage of the learning outcomes. In the configuration admin are able to predefine the default learning outcomes for the project but these can be further modified in each year group.
4. Documents - enables the document uploader displayed on the student worksheet.
5. Notes & Interviews - enabling this option allows students and teachers to send messages to each other on the student worksheet and it allows teachers to record interview notes, which are only visible to admin and teachers.
6. Questions - questions are added in the Year Group settings which can be tied to a learning outcome. Students will be prompted to answer the questions within each activity. The questions displayed depend on the learning outcomes selected in the activity
7. SL Project -  if Extended Project option is enabled students will be able to mark their activities as an Extended Project activity. The terminology for Extended Project can be customised on the Terminology page.
8. Save changes.

Manage Service Types

Settings > select Programme > Service Learning > Service Types

1. Add or edit service types to classify activities.
2. Define title, abbreviation, and colour labels.
3. Set recommended hour targets for each type.
4. Reorder or remove types as needed.

Customise Service Terminology

Settings > select Programme > Service Learning > Terminology

1. Edit terminology labels to match your school context.
2. Update student progress statuses and icons.
3. Add or modify status options as needed.

Enable Service Learning Evaluation

Settings > select Programme > Assessment > Assessment Models > Term > SL

1. Enable SL evaluation for Term assessment.
2. When SL evaluation is enabled you will find an SL tab in the dropdown menu for rubrics. 
3. Click on pencil icon to edit to adjust criteria values and descriptors.

Configure Year Group Settings

Year Group > Edit Year Group Settings

Enable 'Track Service house for this group' if required.

Customise learning outcomes for the year group. You can add new Learning Outcomes via Add Learning Outcomes, or drag and drop to reorder them.

Add or edit SL reflection questions for this Year Group via Add Question or select the linked Learning Outcomes

Set Automated Email Reminders

Year Group > SL > Manage E-mail Reminders

1. Access the SL tab within a year group.
2. Open Manage E-mail Reminders.
3. Edit current reminders by clicking the pencil icon or delete them by clicking the rubbish icon. 
4. Click Add Reminder to create a new reminder.  
5. Customise subject and message content via Add/ Edit Reminder
6. Enable or disable reminders as needed.

Tips & Best Practices

• Align Service Learning frameworks with your school’s mission and curriculum goals.
• Use learning outcomes and questions to guide meaningful student reflection.
• Keep terminology consistent and familiar for your community.
• Use automated reminders to support student engagement and progress tracking.

Warnings & Important Notes

Related Articles

Adding & Managing Service Learning (SL) Activities
Reviewing Service Learning (SL) Progress
Assigning Service Learning (SL) Advisors

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Service Learning be customised per year group?

Yes, while core settings are defined at the programme level, many elements such as learning outcomes and questions can be customised per year group.

Do I need to enable hours tracking?

No, hours tracking is optional and can be enabled depending on your school’s approach to Service Learning.

Can I customise evaluation rubrics?

Yes, rubrics can be fully customised to align with your assessment criteria and reporting needs.

In Summary

• Service Learning can be configured at both programme and year group levels
• Flexible tools support customised frameworks, tracking, and evaluation
• Automation and clear structure help improve student engagement and oversight

These features enable effective Service Learning management within ManageBac+.