Question

The Greeks are credited with coining the phrase " know thyself". In keeping with this expression, what did you learn about yourself as a person and as aleader as a result of doing your service-learning project?

Answer 1

Community engagement pedagogies, often called “service learning,” are ones that combine learning goals and community service in ways that can enhance both student growth and the common good. In the words of the National Service Learning Clearinghouse, it 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.

Typically, community engagement is incorporated into a course or series of courses by way of a project that has both learning and community action goals. This project is designed via collaboration between faculty and community partners, such as non-governmental organizations or government agencies. The project asks students to apply course content to community-based activities. This gives students experiential opportunities to learn in real world contexts and develop skills of community engagement, while affording community partners opportunities to address significant needs.

Student benefits of service-learning include enhanced opportunities for learning, and personal and social skill development. Students gain increased knowledge of academic materials, their communities, and themselves.

Service-learning is a form of experiential education that supports deep learning. Through their service-learning activities, students apply classroom knowledge in practical settings to enhance their understanding of class materials.

Service-learning provides students with opportunities to develop civic engagement skills. By working with community members, students can enhance their group, organizational and interpersonal skills. They also can gain important experience working with diverse members of their communities

Students can gain better understanding of themselves as they explore and develop ways to contribute to their communities. They can develop self confidence and an enhanced commitment to public service.

Service-learning supports faculty teaching by providing a real world counterpart to the more theoretical material discussed in the classroom. Structured reflection activities centered on student experiences, create additional opportunities for faculty to guide student learning. Service-learning supports faculty research and service interests through faculty participation with their communities. Increased student and faculty participation in their communities strengthens the relationship between academic institutions and their communities. Community members gain valued service hours and opportunities to research agency or community problems they might otherwise not have the resources to undertake.