What is Service Learning? Why is it different from Community Service?
The short definition is that service learning links community service with academic learning. Some professors include service learning in their courses, as an “assignment” so those students are able to apply what they learn, while learning about the real needs and issues of the community. The Service Learning Coordinator works with faculty to help them find sites and design projects. Service Learning is different from Community Service not only because it is closely linked to academic course goals, but also because it involves structured reflection time throughout the service experience and more preparation by the instructor before the students perform the service. Sometimes faculty will give a service learning option in a course. Most instructors do not “grade” the service, but may evaluate the culminating project that emerges through the service. The number of hours varies according to the course content. Typically, students do between 10 to 24 hours. Service Learning is not consider
