Service learning is a teaching method that combines community service with academic instruction as it focuses on critical, reflective thinking and civic responsibility.\u00a0 Service learning programs involve students in organized community service that addresses local needs, while developing academic skills, sense of responsibility, and commitment to the community. (Community College National Center for Community Engagement)<\/p>\n
This pedagogy reflects John Dewey\u2019s proponent of hands\u2013on learning or experiential education. \u00a0He advised educators provide relevant educational content which contributes to the well-being of individuals and society through direct experiential education involving continuity and interaction. \u00a0Service learning is a combination of community service with stated learning goals, relying on reciprocal learning, reflection and experience to prepare students to meet relevant real-life community needs.<\/p>\n
Service learning differs from other approaches to experiential education such as volunteerism, community service, internships or field education in that the intention is to benefit both the provider and the recipient of the service equally.\u00a0 This ensures equal focus on teaching, learning and civic engagement. Learning flows from those who provide service and those who receive it.<\/p>\n
Service learning provides structured critical reflection for students. There are four stages that student\u2019s cycle through in this process:\u00a0 concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization and active experimentation to ground this work in scholarship.<\/p>\n
Service learning builds relational bridges within the college, community and world as it provides college students with a \u201ccommunity context.\u00a0 Students become involved with community partners as they collaborate, design and implement projects. It provides them with a new vision of their roles as responsible citizens within their communities.\u00a0 Service learning fosters character development and leadership as students learn to care for others in diverse settings.<\/p>\n
Dr. Gregory Cajete, a Native American educator, believes that education in native communities is based on an ecological foundation of serving and caring for one another. Community relationships between people and the natural world are honored.\u00a0 Education is interdependent in a community that involves all members in projects that are for the benefit of the people and the care of the natural world. \u00a0Service learning provides the opportunity for learning to take place within these relational systems of people and place.<\/p>\n
Programs have been developed at many schools and colleges.\u00a0 Campus Compact and Learn and Serve America (see references below) have resources to help set up this pedagogy at an educational institution.<\/p>\n
It is best to start small with one or two courses and identify faculty fellows willing to work with this model.\u00a0 A faculty team works well which comprises one or more faculty members, student services staff, and an academic dean.\u00a0 Sharing responsibilities and bringing various perspectives strengthens the program. Engage students through student services, campus publicity and student clubs.<\/p>\n
Develop service learning projects to match course goals and student outcomes.<\/strong><\/p>\n Students need to create an on-going critical reflection of what they are learning. Develop a rubric that itemizes student outcomes such as knowledge about the agency and community, improvement in personal skills, discovery, introspection, and critical thinking. This can be accomplished through journaling, in class discussions, reflection papers to address comprehension and application of course theories.<\/p>\n Plan an event where students can present their work to the student body and\/or community.\u00a0 Follow up with agency supervisors with an expression of gratitude and assessment of experience.<\/p>\n Cajete, Gregory. (1994). Look to the mountain, an ecology of indigenous education,<\/em><\/p>\n Durango Colorado: Kivaki <\/em>Press.<\/p>\n\n
Create instruments of assessment and self-reflection<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Celebrate and closure<\/strong><\/h4>\n
References<\/h3>\n