What is service learning?

Service learning consists of both “service” and “learning”, which generally refers to the learning process by which an individual conducts service activity to contribute to the community and acquire some specific skills and knowledge of a subject.​

 

Bringle and Hatcher (1995) defined service learning as: 

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a credit-bearing educational experience in which students (a) participate in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs and (b) reflect on the service activity in such a way as to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility (p. 112). 

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The objective of service learning is to develop people’s civic mindedness, sense of responsibility, and community engagement (Bringle & Steinberg, 2010). Lai (2009) referred to Stavrianopoulos’ perception of service learning and pointed out that it is “a way to apply theory and knowledge to local problems and to improve relationships between campus and community through addressing public perception that higher education exists for its own good” (p. 106). 

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In short, service learning is an effective strategy for people to integrate the concepts and theories acquired in the classroom into real service contexts. Participation in service learning activities enhances students’ social responsibility, civic engagement, social justice, interpersonal skills, critical thinking, and communication skills (Law, 2018).

 

Reference:

Bringle, R. G., & Hatcher, J. A. (1995). A Service-Learning Curriculum for Faculty. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 112-122.

Bringle, R. G., & Steinberg, K. (2010). Educating for informed community involvement. American Journal of Community Psychology, 46(3-4), 428-441.

Lai, K. H. (2009). Developing leadership and cultural competency through service exposure attachment program. New horizons in Education, 57(3), 105-118.

Law, Y. L. (2018). The Learning Experiences of Student Mentors in Service Learning Program: A Case Study of Student Mentors in the Education University of Hong Kong Developing Communication, Collaboration, and Leadership Skills through Participating in the Leadership Enhancement and Development (LEAD) Service Learning Program (Doctoral dissertation, Northeastern University Boston).