Service Learning

Educational strategy designed to involve students in meaningful service to their communities

Definitions

• Combines the objective of service projects with the learning objectives of the classroom in a way that both the provider of service and the recipient of the service are changed in positive ways

• Integrates career development into the classroom through “hands-on” experience and self-discovery

• Personal and social development

Basis in theory

• Piaget’s theory of cognitive and affective development provides a psychological foundation for service learning

• Stages of development• Factors that influence maturation of children• Types of knowledge

Benefits

• Improved student attendance• Knowledge• Skill acquisition• Teamwork skills – operation and development• Higher empathy scores• Kinesthetic modality• Reinforce concepts delivered in a classroom

(visual and auditory learners)• Increase student self-esteem

Best Practices / Components

• Curriculum integration• Reflection• Maximize student participation, “Voice”• Professional Development• Community Partnerships• Values Diversity• Evaluation/Assessment

Examples

• Animal shelter• Homeless shelter• Battered women’s shelter• Day care for low-income children• Adult day care for Alzheimer’s patients