What is Service Learning?

What are the benefits to using a Service Learning course curriculum?

  • The subject matter taught in the classroom is supplemented with real-world experiences which help students to see the importance and practical application of the subject matter.
  • Students who engage in Service Learning are better equipped to:
    • process through the emotional aspects of ministry experiences
    • apply what they learn through such experiences alongside what they learn in the classroom
    • develop a transformed understanding of the problems and issues around them (worldview)
  • The service work done by the students can in many cases serve as a sort of "pre-internship" giving them valuable connections in the community, or at least some practical experience that may aid in the process of obtaining an internship later.
     

     
  • The local community is positively impacted through the coursework in both an immediate context and a long-term context.  Service Learning curriculum infuses the task of education with a Christian worldview, resulting in education that is transformative both to the student and to society.

     

 

What would a Service Learning course curriculum look like?


  • Students would have a "practical application" component requiring 15-30 hours of service work in the local community (or a weekend missions experience), involving:
    • an experience with a diverse population*
    • written reflection on the experience
    • application of their experience to classroom material
  • Student reflections should answer the questions:
    • What?  What did you encounter that was outside of your past experience?
    • So What?  What did you think or feel about it?
    • Now What?  How did it change your worldview (understanding of the world or vision of the redeemed world)?

*The Local Mission Fields page of the Cornerstone University Service Learning website lists several options for the service requirement venue.


Check out the Leaders for Life leadership forum here.