In service of what?

This article explores the method of education through service learning. Kahne and Westheimer specifically examine two classrooms, one seventh grade and one twelfth grade class. Student's in Mr. Johnson's twelfth grade class did a variety of individual service learning projects, while those in Ms. Adams class focused on homelessness as the main topic. All the students had to do in terms of course work was to write a reflection at the end of the course.

Personally, I find service learning projects to be extremely effective in learning a subject. Service learning not only gives you experience in the field, but also gives you practice dealing with other real world practices, such as working with coworkers or the public. I have done two service learning projects within the field of education, and it has taught me so much about classroom control, how to keep a classrooms attention, creating a lesson plan and so much more.

I think doing service learning projects dealing specifically with working with the public and those in need is educational in a way that is different than academic and will expand your mind in a much broader way. A lot of people never have experience working with and forming relationships with people in need. This causes many people not to see the human behind the drug addict, homeless man, or teen mother, and causes them to be ignorant and think of these people as though they are in a different tier of humanness than them. It is so important to educate people on social issues and the larger societal issues that may cause these perfectly lovely and capable human beings to slip through the cracks and wind up homeless, for example.

Below is a chart that shows retention rates based on teaching styles.

For more information on service learning visit: http://www.dropoutprevention.org/effective-strategies/service-learning