Service learning is a reflective educational experience in which students earn academic credit by participating in meaningful service activities. Service learning experiences are designed to foster deeper understanding of course content and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility.
Service Learning is different from volunteer efforts or community service. When students engage in community service they help to meet community needs through volunteering. In service learning, students go beyond this by using the service experience as a foundation to examine themselves, their society and their future.
Service learning is integrated into the academic curriculum such that students have structured experiences to reflect critically on their experience. This reflection takes place through a combination of writing, reading, speaking, listening and group discussions.
Service learning is based on a reciprocal relationship in which the service reinforces and strengthens the learning, and the learning reinforces and strengthens the service.
Essential Elements of Service Learning
Reciprocity: The service and learning must be worthwhile and valuable for both the student and the community. There must be reciprocity between the server and those served.
Reflection: Intentional, systematic reflection about the experience must take place in order to accomplish critical thinking in community service experiences. Reflection of the volunteer experience encourages introspection of other aspects of the student's life.
Development: Service learning occurs in different stages: beginning with serving, to enabling, to empowering; from observation, to experience, to leadership.
Meaningful service: Service tasks need to be worthwhile and challenging in order to strengthen student's critical thinking.
Diversity: A priority is placed on involving a broad cross-section of students working in diverse settings and with a diverse population within the community.
Benefits of Service Learning
Benefits to Students
- Learn from the agency personnel, clientele, experience and the instructor
- Explore majors and careers; gain valuable job experience and strengthen the resume
- Enhance critical thinking skills and moral/ethical development
- Provide practical application of academic pursuits
- Increase understanding of multicultural values and traditions
Benefits to Faculty
- Form new ways of encouraging students' academic progress and comprehension
- Build avenues for greater understanding through intentional critical reflection
- Improve the motivational base for instruction and learning
- Generate support and positive publicity in the community
- Establishes relations with people in the community
Benefits to the Community
- Increases opportunities for collaboration and the creation of possible solutions
- Enhances meaningful services to the community
- Increases awareness of community needs
- Creates opportunities for community partners to participate in student learning
- Builds community awareness of college programs and services