SERVICE LE

ARNING

DEFINITION OF SERVICE LEARNING

- Service learning is a method of teaching, learning and reflecting that combines academic classroom curriculum with meaningful service, frequently youth service, throughout the community.

WHAT HAPPENS IN SERVICE LEARNING?

Student learning is enhanced by joining theory with experience, and thought with action.

Community needs are met through direct service that is meaningful and relevant.

Students help others, give of themselves and enter into caring relationships.

Students see the relevance of their academic studies to the real world.

The civic and citizenship skills of the students are enhanced.

Students are better prepared for their careers and continued education.

THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF SERVICE LEARNING….

Direct Service: Direct service activities are those that require personal contact with people in need.

Indirect Experience: Indirect experiences are commonly implemented in schools because they are easy to organize and they involve students' working behind the scene.

Advocacy: Advocacy as a service experience requires students to lend their voices and talents to the effort to eliminate the causes of a specific problem and to make the public aware of the problem.

Community-Based Research: Community-based Research (CBR) can be defined as a partnership of students, faculty, and community partners who collaboratively engage in research with the purpose of solving a pressing community problem or effecting social change.

HOW DO SERVICE LEARNING WORK FOR STUDENTS?

Grade Determination

In “traditional” courses, your learning is assessed from traditional course resources, e.g., textbooks, class discussions, library research, etc.; in service-learning courses your learning is evaluated from the blending of traditional resources and community service. Academic credit is not awarded for doing service or for the quality of the service, but rather for the student’s demonstration of academic and civic learning.

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