Service Learning for Motivation
Recently my school has implemented an environment where Service Learning is key. I've made realtionships with business and organization owners who have allowed my students to assist with business and marketing plans. The motivation for students to come to class when working on these types of activities seems to jump ten fold. Has anyone else worked with service learning and projects like I've described?
Hi Barton,
You make a number of very good points about how service learning should implemented. It has to be carefully planned out to really be of benefit the students and college. Glad to hear the positive experiences that your daughter is having with her service learning projects.
Gary
I'll read the article. My school is in the early stages of implementing service learning requirements in several courses in each program.
I'm not sold on making it part of existing classes--I don't think it fits well into some classes and I doubt it will be meaningfully done in just an hour or two. I AM sold on the concept generally and would like to see my program require it in a class devoted to service learning. I'm watching one of my kids experience a service-oriented class in her first year at a traditional college. She and her colleagues are learning a lot, learning with enthusiasm, and making valuable contributions in their places of service.
Gary,
Where can I get a copy of that article? You say it was published last year, could you be more specific. I would like to read it.
My school has just started implementing the service learning into a key class. This should help to get the student active in the community which will be experience they can write down on their resume. The more experience they can get on their resume under Volunteer Work the better! Employers like to see active members of society!
Hi Bobbi,
I have worked in the service learning field for many years. I am sold on its' benefits for both the students and the community. You might want to check out an article I wrote for the Career Education Review last year where I laid out the various components of service learning as well as how to "sell" it to community leaders. There are many things I could say about service learning but to make a short story of it, service learning a fantastic way of getting student "buy in" in many different ways. It is an investment in their cognitive, social, emotional and tactile development.
Gary
