The Spirit of Service Learning

As educators, we know that in these changing educational times, it is becoming more important to integrate the opportunity for students to have hands-on projects to help them understand the relevance of their daily schoolwork and the value of their education. Combining academic learning and service  strengthens students’ classroom skills while encouraging them to become socially responsible and productive citizens.

*Service learning is more than volunteering. The National and community Service Act of 1990 which was amended in 1999 states that the term “service learning” means a method:

*Under which students learn and develop though ‘active participation’ in thoughtfully organized service experiences that meet actual community needs and that are coordinated in collaboration with the school and community;

* That is integrated into students’ academic curriculum and provides structured time for a student to think, talk, or write about what the student did and saw during the actual service activity;

* That provides students with opportunities to use newly acquired skills and knowledge in real-life situations in their own communities; and

* That enhances what is taught in school by extending student learning beyond the classroom and into the community and helps to foster the development of a sense of caring for others.