Definition of Service-Learning
An experiential educational method in which students participate
in an organized service activity meeting community needs
and reflecting on the service activity in such a way as to:
- develop critical thinking skills, and
- develop an enhanced sense of civic responsibility.
Service-Learning differs from community service activities in that:
- Service-learning strives to achieve a balance between service and
learning objectives - in service-learning, partners must negotiate
the differences in their needs and expectations.
- Service-learning places an emphasis on addressing community concerns.
- In service-learning, there is the integral involvement of community
partners.
- Service-learning emphasizes reciprocal learning - In service-learning,
traditional definitions of "faculty," "teacher"
and "learner" are intentionally blurred. We all learn from
each other.
- Service-learning emphasizes reflective practice - In service-learning,
reflection facilitates the connection between practice and theory
and fosters critical thinking.
- Service-learning places an emphasis on developing citizenship skills.
Adapted
from: Seifer SD. (1998). Service-learning: Community-campus partnerships
for health professions education. Academic Medicine, 73(3):273-277.
Definition of Civic Engagement (per ADP)
This project uses the definition of civic engagement proposed by Thomas
Ehrlich and his colleagues in Civic Responsibility and Higher Education:
"Civic engagement means working to make a difference in the civic
life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge,
skills, values and motivation to make that difference. It means promoting
the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political
processes." (Preface, page vi)
"A morally and civically responsible individual recognizes himself
or herself as a member of a larger social fabric and therefore considers
social problems to be at least partly his or her own; such an individual
is willing to see the moral and civic dimensions of issues, to make
and justify informed moral and civic judgments, and to take action when
appropriate" (Introduction, page xxvi)
The summaries for the Service-Learning survey administered by Institutional
Research are available for download in PDF format.
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