Students
Service learning provides students rich personal, intellectual, and social growth and development opportunities.
Student Benefits
Social
- Social and civic responsibility and concern for others
- Political efficacy
- Civic participation
- Knowledge and exploration of service-related careers
Personal
- Leadership development skills
- Empowerment
- Moral development
- Self-esteem
- Character development
- Improved social interaction
Intellectual
- Basic skills, including expressing ideas, reading, and using technology
- Higher-level thinking skills, such as problem-solving and critical thinking
- Skills and issues specific to the experience motivation to learn
- Application of knowledge
- Observation, creativity, insight, judgment, and knowledge
- Improved professional skills
Service Learning Teaches and Develops
- Leadership, self-esteem, character, and a student’s willingness to take risks and accept challenges.
- Civic participation, social responsibility, political efficacy, and an appreciation for those with a different social, economic, or cultural background. It lets students explore a service career.
- Critical thinking, problem-solving, the application of knowledge, judgment and insight, creativity, and professional skills.
The Key Components of SL
- Connecting service with learning – academically rigorous, meaningful service with a significant positive impact on those involved
- Reflection – assessment of personal and community needs, reflection on participation, and evaluation of progress
- Reciprocity – both the student and community partner give and receive time, energy, knowledge, and creativity
- Critical thinking – involvement in situations conducive to creative, effective problem-solving
- Social responsibility – expansion of student’s compassion, civic awareness, and desire to be engaged in the community
- Experiential learning – use of direct experience and hands-on learning to develop skills valuable in future careers, family life, and community involvement
- Needs-based – project based on community-identified needs