Service Learning: Real-Life Applications for Learning

TL;DR

Service learning provides students with an opportunity to engage emotionally and psychologically in their learning by connecting curriculum with real-life applications in the community.

Transcript

Tom: When we're producing food, there's that purpose and that brings relevance. It's all about student engagement and by engagement, I'm not talking about just paying attention. I'm talking about like an emotional, psychological commitment to their learning. >>Anne: We're always studying these things in the context of this classroom or in a textb... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 Service learning creates relevance and purpose in students' learning, leading to increased engagement and commitment to their education.
• 👻 The integration of curriculum with real-life applications in the community allows students to see the tangible impact of their learning.
• 👨‍🏫 Service learning projects, such as the school greenhouse example, provide students with opportunities to apply their knowledge and make a difference in their school and community.
• 😮 The level of responsibility and engagement required in service learning projects often surprises both teachers and students.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is service learning?

Service learning involves integrating required curriculum with community projects or units in order to provide students with real-life applications and a sense of purpose in their learning.

Q: How does service learning benefit students?

Service learning projects engage students emotionally and psychologically, leading to higher levels of engagement and a deeper understanding of the subject matter. It also provides them with opportunities to apply their learning in real-world contexts.

Q: How does the school greenhouse benefit from service learning?

The school greenhouse project not only allows biology students to gain exposure to salad greens production but also provides fresh, locally grown greens for the school cafeteria. This increases students' connection to the food they eat and encourages healthier eating habits.

Q: What are the long-term effects of service learning?

Former students often come back and express how service learning projects transformed their education. In addition to improved grades, service learning helps students develop a stronger sense of responsibility, empathy, and engagement with their education.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Service learning involves projects or units that connect required curriculum with real-life applications in the community, providing students with a sense of purpose and relevance in their learning.

• The example of a school greenhouse demonstrates how service learning can benefit both the students involved and the larger community, as biology students grow salad greens that are distributed and consumed within the school district.

• Service learning projects require a substantial commitment but result in higher levels of engagement and deeper understanding for students.