SERVICE LEARNING

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EXPERTS:

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Service learning is a teaching and learning methodology which

fosters civic responsibility and applies classroom learning through meaningful service to the community.
integrates community service projects with academic studies to enrich learning, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen the communities in which we live and work.
through fieldwork, service learning applied research, and other academic activities, students engage in project-based service initiatives with community partners.
students, faculty, and partners work together to achieve at desired results based on community needs, create innovative solutions to challenges, and achieve sustainable outcomes that benefit our partners as well as create a legacy of engagement with the community.
integrates academic theory with practical real-life experience, provides students with a broader and deeper understanding of the course content, fosters their sense of civic engagement, and sharpens their insights into themselves and their place in the community.
provides service from students to local community that is directly connected to their academic coursework. Hence, the community provides an educational experience for the student.

Characteristics and the Process of Service Learning

Service Learning courses assist university and faculty in building connections between course content and practical to the real context application. Such courses can offer faculty an opportunity to establish partnerships within the community, conduct meaningful research, collaborate with community and campus leaders, and create significant teaching and learning opportunities for students. One of the important aspects in Service learning is engagement from university students and community.

Engaged Learning is an active and highly collaborative process. Engaged Learning combines civic involvement with academic coursework. Engaged service learning includes any hours worked that directly benefits the community partner and can include work on-site, communication and relationship building with the community partner, and other activities that benefit the approved project.

Engaged Learning may include the following:

Meeting with the community partner on-site or virtually
Discussing and corresponding with the partner about project plans and progress
Researching and collecting data relevant to project
On-site activities
Developing the final product or project
Presenting the product or project results to the community partner and/or the community
Gathering feedback, assessing results, and responding to commentary

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