About Service-Learning (Coming Soon)
Frequently Asked Questions ( Courtesy of Learn and Serve America)
- What is Service-Learning?
- Service-learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities.
- What are the goals of Service-Learning?
- Service-learning combines service to the community with student learning in a way that improves both the student and the community. As they participate in their community service projects, actively meeting the needs of communities, youth develop practical skills, self-esteem, and a sense of civic responsibility.
- How does Service-Learning differ from community service or volunteering?
- Community service is volunteer action taken to meet the needs of others and better the community as a whole. Service-learning is integrated into and enhances the academic curriculum of students engaged in service, or the educational components of the community service program in which the participants are enrolled. Service-learning provides structured time for thoughtful planning of the service project and guided reflection by participants on the service experience. Overall, the most important feature of effective service-learning programs is that both learning and service are emphasized.
- How many college students do service-learning in the United States? How many universities offer service-learning for their students?
- A rough estimate is available from the Campus Compact annual service statistics report. These statistics reflect only Campus Compact member institutions and do not distinguish between community service and service-learning.
- A rough estimate is available from the Campus Compact annual service statistics report. These statistics reflect only Campus Compact member institutions and do not distinguish between community service and service-learning.