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Benefits of Service Learning

Service Learning provides many benefits for students, faculty, and community organizations.

For students, Service Learning provides opportunities to:

  • Connect class concepts to hands-on experiences at local non-profit organizations.
  • Confirm (or not) an area of interest or major.
  • Develop critical thinking and writing skills.
  • Develop civic responsibility.
  • Experience social and personal development.
  • Learn about potential employment and gain field experience.
  • Gain meaningful experiences to help with scholarships and admission to 4-year colleges.

For faculty, Service Learning provides opportunities to:

  • Increase student equity for disproportionately impacted groups.
  • Revitalize teaching strategies to engage students.
  • Reinforce concepts introduced in class to promote deeper learning for students.
  • Provide connections to academic content, standards, and SLOs.
  • Improve interaction between faculty and students.
  • Extend campus resources into the community.
  • Reinforce the value of the scholarship and community engagement.

For community organizations, Service Learning provides opportunities to:

  • Provide awareness to programs and services available to the campus community.
  • Advertise volunteer opportunities on our Community Partners List.
  • Bring fresh perspectives and knowledge to the organization.
  • Promote empathy and responsibility through civic engagement.
  • Connect with and train potential job candidates.
  • Participate in our Service Learning Fair to outreach to students each semester. *Currently on hold.

 

 

References:

Corporation for National & Community Service. (2007). The impact of service-learning: A review of current research. Retrieved from https://www.nationalservice.gov/sites/default/files/documents/issuebrief_servicelearning.pdf

Prentice, M & Robinson, G. (2010). AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES Improving student learning outcomes with Service Learning. Washington DC. American Association of Community Colleges.

Simonet, D. (2008). Service-learning and academic success: The links to retention research. St. Paul, MN: Minnesota Campus Compact.

Warren, J. L. (2013). Does service-learning increase student learning?: A meta-analysis. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 18(2), 56-61.