About Service Learning

What is Service Learning?

(National & Community Service Trust Act, 1993)

The term "service learning" means a method under which students or participants learn and develop through active participation in thoughtfully organized service that:

• is conducted in and meets the needs of a community
• is coordinated with an elementary school, secondary school, institution of higher education, or community service program, and with the community
• helps foster civic responsibility that is integrated into and enhances the academic curriculum of the students, or the educational components of the community service program in which the participants are enrolled
• provides structured time for the students or participants to reflect on the service experiences.

Benefits of Service Learning

(adapted from the CSU Service Integration Project Faculty Manual)

The Student Benefits through...

• hands-on use of skills; increases relevance of academic lessons

• opportunities that accommodate different learning styles

• interaction with people of diverse cultures and lifestyles

• increased sense of self-efficacy, analytical skills, and social development

• opportunities for meaningful involvement within the local community

• increased civic responsibility

• valuable and competitive career guidance and experience - making community contacts

• "Certain lessons cannot be learned in the classroom."

The Faculty Benefits through...

• inspiration and invigoration of teaching methods

• increased student contact through greater emphasis on student-centered teaching

• a new perspective on learning and an increased understanding of how learning occurs

• connecting the community with the curriculum and becoming more aware of current societal issues as they relate to academic areas of interest; awareness of community issues that need to be addressed

• "It changes faculty role from expert on top to the expert on tap."

The Community Benefits through...

• access to university resources

• positive relationship opportunities with the university

• awareness-building of community issues, agencies, and constituents

• affordable access to professional development

• short and long term solutions to pressing community needs

• "It shifts from community as laboratory to community as classroom."

The College Benefits through...

• enhanced teaching, research, and outreach activities

• faculty and student engagement in local and state community issues

• opportunities to extend college knowledge and resources

• positive community relationships

• increased preparation of college graduates

• "It serves to light the fire rather than fill the bucket."

Characteristics of an Effective Service Learning Project

• Engages people in responsible and challenging acts for the common good

• Articulates clear service and learning goals for those involved

• Provides structured opportunities for critical reflection

Reflection should...

• Be guided and purposeful

• Occur regularly within the course

• Foster civic responsibility