Service Learning

What is Service Learning?

“Service Learning can be defined as a teaching method where guided or classroom learning is deepened through service to others in a process that provides structured time for reflection on the service experience and demonstration of the skills and knowledge acquired.” - Cathyrn Berger Kaye

The Three Types of Service Learning:

1. Direct Service – Activities that require students to establish personal contact with the people in need. Examples include but are not limited to tutoring or working with elders.
2. Indirect Service – Activities that commonly take place at the school site, channeling resources to the area of need rather than working directly with those in need of service. Examples include but are not limited to food drives or creating a recycling program.
3. Advocacy – Requires students to lend their voices and talents help eliminate the causes of a specific problem. Examples include but are not limited to writing letters to politicians and local officials regarding policy change or making a presentation to local school boards regarding addressing a particular need.

The Four Stages of Service Learning:

1. Preparation – Students acquire new information as they research, read, interview, and visit places, all leading to a better understanding of real community.
2. Action – Students develop and implement a plan of action, transforming their ideas into practical ways to contribute to the common good.
3. Reflection – Students consider how their actions made an impact on themselves and others, and ways to improve as they continue to learn and serve.
4. Demonstration – Students show or tell others what they have learned and contributed; they may write letters, articles, make presentations, or create a website.

K-12 Service Learning Standards for Quality Practice:

1.  Meaningful Service - exist when a real need is identified and met through  students' efforts. Recipients benefit in a tangible way because a need has been met. Students benefit through increased learning, awareness, and empathy.
2.  Curriculum Integration - Service-learning is intentionally used as instructional strategy to meet learning goals and content standards. 
3.  Duration - Service-learning has sufficient duration and intensity to address community needs and meet specified outcomes.
4.  Diversity - Service-learning promotes understanding of diversity and mutual respect among all participants.
5.  Youth Voice - Service-learning provides youth with a strong voice in planning, implementation, and evaluating service-learning experiences with guidance from adults.
6.  Reflection - Service-learning incorporates multiple challenging reflection activities that are ongoing and that prompt deep thinking and analysis about oneself and one's relationship to society.
7.  Reciprocal Partnerships - Service-learning partnerships are collaborative, mutually beneficial, and address community needs.
8.  Process Monitoring - Service-learning engages participants in an ongoing process to assess the quality of implementation and progress toward meeting specified goals, and uses results for improvement and sustainability.