What Is Service Learning And Community Learning?

What Is Service Learning?

SERVICE LEARNING | iii MIN READ

Service Learning is an educational approach where a student learns theories in the classroom and at the same time volunteers with an agency (usually a non-profit or social service group) and engages in reflection activities to deepen their understanding of what is being taught.

It is a cycle of theories, practices, and reflection tools to broaden cognition and critical thinking skills for social change.

You might normally hear it related to terms such every bit borough engagement, customs development, advancement, philanthropy, social alter, volunteerism, customs service and experiential learning.

Every bit a result of service learning, students learn more nearly the community and themselves while fulfilling a need in the community and meeting classroom or degree requirements.

Students in whatsoever discipline can participate. The courses are unremarkably most directly tied to social scientific discipline courses (for example: political science, sociology, environmental studies and psychology) and pre-professional courses (for example: teaching, social work and business).

What Are Some Examples of Service Learning Projects?

Service Learning involves almost any helping activeness. Nosotros more often than not refer to straight service to individuals, indirect service to people, and advocacy work.

Direct service includes tutoring, serving meals, working with patients, helping a refugee family, walking foster dogs, or participating in events at a nursing home. Many psychology and educational activity courses contain direct service.
Indirect service is doing something behind the scenes to assistance, such as organizing a fundraising event, working in a resale store, stocking a food pantry, collecting donations or planting trees to assist the environment. Fields such equally environmental studies and sociology tend to offering more indirect service opportunities.
Advocacy can take the form of students writing letters to government officials, demonstrating in a lookout man line or educating others almost possible policy changes. Political science and criminal justice classes ofttimes feature more than advocacy work.

Why is Service Learning Important?

For starters, service learning is important because it connects educatee learning in the classroom with real-world experiences in the community. Students who participate in information technology are more securely engaged in their local communities, gain practical skills, develop their career and personal interests, and are usually more than engaged citizens.

At a societal level, it is important for people to be involved and aware of their communities then they can help each other and be more conscientious individuals. Creating opportunities for young people increases their involvement.

Finally, information technology instills the habit of performing a service for others. Students who engage early on often continue service piece of work for the rest of their lives.

How Do I Observe Opportunities Virtually Me?

Near colleges and universities maintain partnerships with community groups, governmental agencies and service organizations. Making employ of their resources is a great way to get started.

At Elmhurst University, the service learning webpage lists more than 60 customs partners in need of pupil volunteers. Students who wish to count this work every bit service learning tin can speak to staff about classes or independent study options and then they can also engage in theoretical learning and reflection activities.

How Do I Benefit as a Student?

Through service learning, students:

Learn more than about their relationship with the communities they engage with
Acquire more about their capacity for serving others
Refine their controlling abilities and learn other career-related skills
Better understand the meaning of responsible citizenship
Abound in their awareness of cultural differences

Explore Elmhurst Academy

The Elmhurst University Service Learning plan matches students who feel a responsibility to serve the community with opportunities to assist. Visit our Community Partners page to learn more, and follow us on Instagram or Facebook.

Want to learn more than? Request information today!