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Home / Academics / Service Learning
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| Service Learning |
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- What is Service Learning?
- There have been numerous definitions of service learning over the last 10 years. The OCC Service Learning Office uses the definition provided by the American Association of Community Colleges:
"The service learning instructional methodology integrates community service with academic instruction as it focuses on critical, reflective thinking and civic responsibility. Service learning programs involve students in organized community service that addresses local needs, while developing their academic skills, sense of civic responsibility, and commitment to the community. Service learning is related to but does not include cooperative learning, practicum, or internship programs."
- Service Learning Benefits
- Service learning is the incorporation of community service into the academic curriculum without the loss of academic rigor. It is a methodology that unites community work with academic study and provides our students with ways to incorporate both activities into a greater learning experience. Effective service learning programs benefit the student, community and the faculty member in the following ways:
Benefits to the student . . .
- Enriches the student learning of course material by allowing them to put into practice the theories they have learned in the classroom.
- Students come to see the relevance and importance of academic work in their real life experiences.
- Enhances students' self esteem by allowing them to "make a difference" through their active and meaningful contributions to their communities.
- Broadens perspectives and enhances critical thinking skills.
- Improves interpersonal and human relation skills.
- Can provide guidance in choosing a future career.
Benefits to the Community . . .
- Service learning provides a source of energetic, motivated students who can satisfy many community needs in the areas of education, health, safety, and the environment.
- Many students develop a sense of civic responsibility and will commit to a lifetime of service.
- Community agencies are given the opportunity to participate in an educational partnership.
Benefits to Faculty Members . . .
- Service learning can enrich the teaching experience.
- It can change the relationship between the teacher and the student in positive ways.
- It may lead to new ways of viewing the academic material and inspire other changes in the curriculum.
- Service learning may lead to identifying new areas of interest and research number of professors and concentrate on one problem by looking at it from various viewpoints. Alternately, several faculty members may each teach a service learning course and collaborate with each other in developing a single large project for their students.
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©Copyright 2001 OCC Service Learning Costa Mesa, California • (714) 432-5686 |
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