1. What is Service Learning?

1.2 How is Service Learning different from Community Service?

1.1 What is Service Learning?

Service Learning is an educational approach that combines academic learning with authentic service opportunities to engage students' hearts, hands, and minds in making a positive difference through direct or indirect interaction, advocacy, or research.

Research found that around 80% of students who took part in a service learning project found the experience “highly beneficial.” These students saw improvements in their communication skills, self-awareness and knowledge of community needs. Source

1.2 How is Service Learning different from Community Service?

Service learning is more student-centered approach than other forms of community service, such as volunteering. The focus is on student experiences, and the entire service project is designed around providing as much education as possible every step of the way. Most kinds of community service help the community more than the person providing it, but the benefit is reciprocal with service learning. Students and members of the community can both be equally satisfied. Source

1.3 Four Forms of Service

The Four Basic Forms of Service/Action:

Direct Service is service that direct affects the persons, animals or parks we want to impact. This may include volunteering or cleaning up a park.
Indirect Service might take the form of fundraising or collections. It is the type of service in which you are not in the presence of the person or thing you are impacting.
Advocacy is when you speak up for or against an issue or solution. When we use our voices, we are being advocates. To learn more about Advocacy and Action, watch the 3-minute video.
Research involves finding out new information that informs or demands action. For example, collecting scientific data or surveying a group.

1.4 Five Stages of Service

The Five Stages of Service are a great way for teachers to add structure to their service learning projects and make sure their students are understanding the value of their actions.

1. Investigation

2. Preparation

3. Action

4. Reflection

5. Demonstration

Five Stages of Service framework enables students to:

increase self-awareness
learn about learning
enjoy the learning process through purposeful experiences
explore new and unfamiliar challenges
employ different learning styles
develop their ability to communicate and collaborate with others
experience and recognize personal development
transfer acquired skills and knowledge to new settings and situations in and out of the classroom
develop attributes of service

Page updated

Report abuse