Service Learning is a teaching and learning
approach that integrates community service with academic study
to enrich learning, teaches civic responsibility, and strengthens
communities.” Youth engaged in service-learning not only provide
direct service to the community, but also learn and grow in
their knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
Authentic Service Learning
Positive,
meaningful and real to the participants Cooperative
rather than competitive experiences; promotes teamwork and citizenship Addresses
complex problems in complex settings rather than simplified
problems in isolation Supports
social, emotional and cognitive learning and development Students
are able to identify the most important issues within a real-world
situation through critical thinking Promotes
deeper learning; there are no "right answers" in the
back of the book Generates
emotional consequences, which challenge values and ideas Engages
problem-solving in the specific context of service activities
and community challenges, rather than generalized or abstract
concepts from a textbook
Service Learning is NOT:
An episodic
volunteer program An add-on
to an existing school or college curriculum Completing
minimum service hours in order to graduate Service
assigned as a form of punishment Only for
high school or college students One-sided:
benefiting only students or only the community
Benefits of Service Learning:
Youth Participants
Youth Development Organization
Increased
access to the range of supports and opportunities they
need.
Increased self-efficacy as they
learn that they can impact real social challenges.
Enhanced problem-solving skills,
ability to work in teams, and planning abilities.
Enhanced civic engagement attitudes, skills, and behaviors.
Sustained
youth engagement as teenagers find they are valued and
can contribute.
Meet organizational goals for teenagers’
learning and personal development.
Cultivate connections with schools,
higher education, and other community groups.
Increase staff and volunteers’ level
of engagement, leadership, and work satisfaction.
Sponsoring
Organizations
Service Recipient,
Communities, Society
Expand
mission, reach, and impact without substantially increasing
costs.
Access teenagers’ energy, ideas,
enthusiasm, and skills.
Increase public support and visibility
in the community.
New partnerships and resources.
A new generation of volunteers for their own organization
or cause.
Meet
real needs and priorities for individuals and communities.
Build positive relationships with
youth.
See youth in a different way—as
resources, not problems.
Cultivate a new generation of caring
and experienced citizens, activists, and volunteers.
Positive,
meaningful and real to the participants