What is Service Learning?
Definition: "a method under which students learn and develop
through:
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active participation in thoughtfully organized service experience that
meet actual community needs
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coordinated in collaboration with school and community
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integrated into academic curriculum
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provides structured time for reflection
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provides opportunities to use newly acquired skills and knowledge in real
life situations in own community
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enhances what is taught in schools by extending learning beyond the classroom
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helps foster the development of sense of caring for others and civic responsibility"
Taken from information provided by Jim Glasson, Community College of
Rhode Island with funds from the Corporation for National and Community
Service and the Campus Compact Center for Community Colleges.
Purpose: To foster concerned and committed students who will carry
this experiential learning back to the community to make it a stronger
place to live. Service Learning helps students to develop a sense
of civic responsibility while often experiencing real world situations
that relate to their major fields of study.
Some Questions on faculty, student participation and community
issues:
The Big Dummy's Guide to Service learning
can help with some of these. www.fiu.edu/~time4chg/Library/bigdummy.html
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How do you plan for and set up service learning in a course?
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How do you find good service learning projects?
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What courses make good matches with service learning?
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What is the faculty's role?
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What about liability?
Some Service Learning Activites:
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Math students tutor second graders in arithmetic.
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English students assist in an adult literacy program.
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Accounting students help senior citizens with tax returns.
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Educational psychology students work in schools and with volunteer organizations
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Art students paint murals at a senior citizen housing complex.
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Psychology students work in nursing homes
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