Service Learning
Service Learning is a learning experience that links
schools with their communities. Students are given an opportunity to perform
community service work that complements their classroom work. Service Learning
promotes both personal and intellectual growth in students. It also helps them
develop civic responsibility as well as providing an opportunity for career
exploration.
Students learn by doing though a clear application of skills and knowledge
while helping to meet the needs in the school or greater community.
Nine Mauldin High School
students
currently visit Hillcrest Middle School every day for their Service Learning Experience.
Types of Service
Learning
Direct Service activities are those that require
personal contact with people in need. This type of service is generally the most
rewarding for students
because they receive immediate positive feedback during the process of
helping others. Examples of direct service activities include:
* students working with senior citizens in
intergenerational projects
* reading to small children
Direct service teaches students to take responsibility for
their actions. Students also learn that they can make a difference.
Indirect Service experiences are commonly
implemented in schools because they are easy to organize and involve students working
behind the scene.
These activities involve channeling resources to the problem rather than
working directly with an individual who may need service. Often students do
not come in contact with the people they serve. Examples of indirect service
include:
* collecting food or toys for disadvantaged families
* landscaping a community park or other environmental projects
Indirect service projects are generally done by a group;
they teach teamwork
and organizational skills.
Advocacy, the last type of service experience,
requires students to lend their voices and talents to help eliminate the causes of a
specific problem. Students work to correct the problem and make the public aware of
the problem. Some activities may include:
* making presentations to the community about particular
issues
* distributing of literature to make the community aware of a problem
Students learn to present their concerns clearly, be
concise in presenting their ideas, and suggest feasible solutions. |
Hillcrest Middle School Online
