What is Service Learning?

Service Learning is an unconventional approach to educating students of all ages. Service Learning Projects combine both academics and community service to help students apply the information they learn in the classroom to real life experiences. In return, service learning does not only benefit the student that participates in project, but as well the community that partners with the school. In building these important relationships, students are actively contributing towards a better future.It is widely believed that through the integration of service learning in the classroom curriculum, "...students become better learners, classmates, and citizens" (RMC, 2009). As the figure shows below, students are able to retain the information they learn from textbooks, lectures, and other classroom techniques more accurately when they are given the opportunity to participate in service learning projects.

The Five Helpful Components for Conducting a Successful Service Learning Project                          

According to the National Service-Learning Clearninghouse they have identified 5 components they believe are necessary to plan and carry out a successful Service Learnign project:

1. Investigation- Together students and teacher identify an issue within the community that could successfully and realistically be addressed with a schoul year/semester/quarter.
2. Planning and Preparation-Once the class decides upon a potential issue they would like to improve, everyone icluding the class, teacher and community decide upon the best coarse of actions.
3. Action-Getting to work! Students are involved in solving the problem/issue, ultimately this will help students apply knowledge and skills to real life. The community will improve this interaction as well!
4. Reflection- Connecting service learning with classroom standards. This may be accomplished through discussion and or journal entries.
5. Demonstration/Celebration- Everyone together reviews what has been accomplished by the partnership between the school and community (RMC, 2009).

Successful Service Learning Projects are not limited to these suggestions, rather they are considered a guide to help those who would like to begin service learning projects.

Helpful Links

History of Service-Learning

http://www.servicelearning.org/what_is_service-learning/history_hesl/index.php

 Learn and Serve America

http://www.learnandserve.gov/about/overview/index.asp

New Horizons for Learning

http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/service_learning/front_service.htm

National Service-Learning Partnership

http://www.service-learningpartnership.org/site/PageServer

Service Learning Overview

http://www.servicelearning.org

Resources

RMC Research Corporation K-12 Service- Learning Project Planning Toolkit. Scotts Valley, Ca;

National Service Learning Clearinghouse, 2006/2009.

http://www.servicelearning.org/filemanager/download/8542_K-12_SL_Toolkit_UPDATED.pdf