Define and describe what is meant by "service learning." Explain the goals and benefits of service learning.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Service learning is a form of education that promotes social responsibility and service to the community. In service learning, adolescents engage in a number of activities that benefit others. An important goal of service learning is that adolescents become less self-centered and more strongly motivated to help others. Service learning is more effective when students have some degree of choice in the service activities in which they participate and when there are opportunities to reflect about their participation. Service learning has been linked to a number of benefits for adolescents who participate, including higher grades in school, increased goal-setting, higher self-esteem, an improved sense of being able to make a difference for others, and an increased likelihood that they will serve as volunteers in the future. For some students, the opportunity to work in the community as part of a school program led to lower dropout rates.