Service Learning

Service learning is a form of project-based learning in which academic goals are accomplished through community service. It is a powerful approach to teaching that provides kids with authentic learning experiences in which they learn academic content in a real-life, real-world context. Properly implemented, service-learning develops citizenship, responsibility, and many other positive character virtues, making it a highly effective character education program in and of itself.

EMPATHY GENEROSITY INTEGRITY RESPECT

Service-learning is a form of project-based learning in which academic goals are accomplished through community service. It is a powerful approach to teaching that provides kids with authentic learning experiences in which they learn academic content in a real-life, real-world context. Properly implemented, service-learning develops citizenship, responsibility, and many other positive character virtues, making it a highly effective character education program in and of itself.

In order for moral education to bloom at your school, educators can engage their students in Nature-based learning (Chen, 2019) or environmental-based activities such as beach cleaning, tree planting, resource recycling, waste reduction and reuse, wetland preservation, alternative uses of disposable tableware, protecting mangrove forest, experiencing vegetarianism, and biking in nature (Hoffman, 2017). This will allow young children to engage in service-learning. This type of reframing and reorientation of early childhood education will shift the learning paradigm from memorization of moral values to learning to learn and how to solve moral issues and dilemma’s locally and globally.

In service-learning, educators can adapt the Community Service Learning (CSL) approach which integrates meaningful community service with classroom instruction and critical reflection to enrich the learning experience and strengthen communities. In practice, students work in partnership with a community-based organization to apply their disciplinary knowledge to a challenge identified by the community.

Resources:

A Student Service Learning Program Model

What would a model service-learning program consist of? This amazing site gives the entire set of blueprints for the Student Service Learning program of the Montgomery County (Maryland) Public Schools. An indispensable resource!

Me to WE

Me to We is an innovative social enterprise that creates socially conscious products and experiences that enable people to change their lives through their everyday choices. At minimum 50% of profits are donated to WE Charity to help support its international development work. It empowers people to change the world locally and globally, achieving transformative outcomes for themselves and others.

Chen, K. (2019) Transforming Environmental Values for a Younger Generation in Taiwan: A Participatory Action Approach to Curriculum Design. Journal of Futures Studies, June 2019, 23(4): 79–96

Hoffman, J. (2019). Imagining 2060: A Cross-Cultural Comparison of University Students’ Perspectives. Journal of Futures Studies, June 2019, 23(4): 63–78