Types of Service Learning
Service-Learning is a strategy that integrates community needs, intentional learning objectives, and structured opportunities for reflection. Service-Learning projects take community service or volunteer projects to the next level by emphasizing both service and learning to create a more meaningful experience for youth.
WHY SERVICE LEARNING?
Service learning is an important component of youth development because it allows youth to strengthen their critical thinking skills, leadership skills, and civic and social responsibility (Ellison, Carter, 2019).
There are four types of service-learning:
Direct Service Learning.mp4Direct Service-Learning
Person-to-person, face-to-face service projects in which the students’ service directly impacts individuals who receive the service from the students.
Examples: Tutoring other students/adults, or creating life reviews for hospice patients.
Indirect Service Learning.movIndirect Service-Learning
Working on broad issues, environmental projects, or community development projects that have clear benefits to the community or environment, but not necessarily to individually identified people with whom the youth are working.
Examples: Compiling a town history, or removing invasive plants and restoring ecosystems in preserve areas for public use.
Other ideas
Compiling a town history
Restoring historic structures or building low-income housing
Removing invasive plants and restoring ecosystems in preserve areas for public use
Donate to your Community Food Pantry -Donate goods or money to local food pantry. Many restaurants are providing food for essential workers (i.e. first respondents, doctors/nurses at hospitals). Check with local restaurants and GIVE!
Research Based Service Learning.movResearch Based Service-Learning
Gathering and presenting information on areas of interest and need. Projects that find, gather, and report on information that is needed.
Examples: Translating a community guide into another language, or creating brochures for a non-profit or government agency.
Advocacy Based Service Learning.mp4Advocacy Based Service-Learning
Educating others about topics of public interest. Projects that aim to create awareness and action on some issue that impacts the community.
Examples: Advocating to community leaders about the importance of a specific topic, and working with elected officials to draft legislation to improve communities.