Definitions of Service-Learning
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What is Service-Learning?

Picking up trash by a riverbank is service.
Studying water samples under a microscope is learning.
When students collect and analyze water samples and the local pollution control agency
uses the findings to clean up a river... that is service-learning.

courtesy of the National Youth Leadership Council http://www.nylc.org/
National Standards

The Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education recognizes the need for "Humanitarian and Civic Engagement" in higher education and publishes standards related to:

  • Understanding and Appreciation of Cultural and Human Differences
  • Social Responsibility
  • Global Perspective
  • Sense of Civic Responsibility

Learning Outcomes published by the CASHE
Click HERE to visit the CASHE website
Other Resources

Workforce 2000: Reshaping for School-Work-Career Transitions
The document includes a series of definitions and elements related to service learning; outlines an article which describes how to create and shape a service learning program and prepare agencies and the community for service learning; the articles "Make a Difference" (Shapiro), "Service Learning: an Opportunity to go Beyond Band-Aids" (Boggio), "Service Learning and Curriculum Transfusion" (Buchen); and a listing of service learning K-12 curriculum and resources.

http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=3332

For more information or to comment on this website please contact Mark Kavanaugh
mkavanaugh@kvcc.me.edu