Service-Learning Benefits
Compiled by Teresa Ludwig, Director of Service Learning Programs, Earlham College.
Students
- Enriches student learning of course material and "brings books to life and life to books."
- Engages students in active learning that demonstrates the relevance and importance of academic work for their life experience and career choices.
- Increases awareness of current societal issues as they relate to academic areas of interest.
- Broadens perspectives of diversity issues and enhances critical thinking skills.
- Improves interpersonal skills that are increasingly viewed as important skills in achieving success in professional and personal spheres.
- Develops civic responsibility through active community involvement.
Community
- Provides substantial human resources to meet educational, human, safety, and environmental needs of local communities
- Allows the energy and enthusiasm of college students to contribute to meeting needs.
- Fosters an ethic of service and civic participation in students who will be tomorrow's volunteers and civic leaders.
- Creates potential for additional partnerships and collaboration with the campus.
Institutional Benefits
- Enriches and enlivens teaching and learning.
- Builds reciprocal partnerships with the local community.
- Creates new areas for research and scholarship, and increases opportunities for professional recognition and reward.
- Extends campus resources into the community and reinforces the value of the scholarship of engagement.
- Supports institutional mission.
Advocate for Service-Learning
Developing and implementing good service-learning requires strong support from educators, students, community members, and local and state officials. These resources below identify ways to advocate for service-learning programs both in your community and statewide.
- Tool Kit
- Findings to share from the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse