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Understanding Service Learning
| Name | Jason Caudill | | Situation | The Project SPIRIT 4-H Club in Oconee County has been meeting regularly
twice a month. They had been engaged in different community service projects to benefit their community, but had not grasped the difference between community service and service learning. Service learning integrates learning and reflection into the service project. | | Response | As the agent, I attended the National Youth Service Learning Conference in California. While there, I was able to grasp the full concept of what service learning really is. It consists of a reflection and a learning component that we had been missing with our club. When I came back, I brainstormed with the volunteer leader and the students' ideas on what kind of service learning projects we could do. In doing so, I discovered that the students needed some kind of training to bring the concept home to them as well. So I developed a program that explains he service learning concept with real life examples and showed it to the club. | | Impact | Since presenting the program, the students now have a better understanding of what service learning actually is. They have taken initiative and have come up with their own projects that integrate service learning. They have started volunteering as reading tutors at a local elementary school. We also do reflection activities with the students in which they discuss their experiences. It is apparent that this new understanding of service learning has enhanced the life skill development of the club members. They continue to come up with new ideas on how to help their community and learn more about themselves at the same time. |
Last update4/7/2008
This website is maintained by D Jason Caudill.
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