What Theories Inform Applied/service Learning Sociology

What Is Service Learning?

SERVICE LEARNING | iii MIN READ

Service Learning is an educational approach where a educatee learns theories in the classroom and at the same time volunteers with an agency (normally a non-profit or social service group) and engages in reflection activities to deepen their understanding of what is being taught.

It is a bicycle of theories, practices, and reflection tools to broaden noesis and disquisitional thinking skills for social change.

Y'all might commonly hear it related to terms such as civic engagement, community development, advocacy, philanthropy, social modify, volunteerism, community service and experiential learning.

As a effect of service learning, students acquire more most the community and themselves while fulfilling a need in the customs and coming together classroom or degree requirements.

Students in whatever discipline tin can participate. The courses are usually most direct tied to social scientific discipline courses (for example: political scientific discipline, sociology, environmental studies and psychology) and pre-professional person courses (for example: teaching, social work and business).

What Are Some Examples of Service Learning Projects?

Service Learning involves nigh whatever helping activity. We by and large refer to directly service to individuals, indirect service to people, and advocacy piece of work.

Direct service includes tutoring, serving meals, working with patients, helping a refugee family, walking foster dogs, or participating in events at a nursing home. Many psychology and instruction courses incorporate direct service.
Indirect service is doing something behind the scenes to help, such equally organizing a fundraising event, working in a resale shop, stocking a food pantry, collecting donations or planting trees to help the environs. Fields such as ecology studies and sociology tend to offering more indirect service opportunities.
Advancement can take the form of students writing letters to government officials, demonstrating in a picket line or educating others almost possible policy changes. Political science and criminal justice classes ofttimes feature more advocacy work.

Why is Service Learning Important?

For starters, service learning is important because it connects student learning in the classroom with real-world experiences in the customs. Students who participate in it are more deeply engaged in their local communities, gain practical skills, develop their career and personal interests, and are ordinarily more than engaged citizens.

At a societal level, it is important for people to exist involved and aware of their communities so they tin aid each other and be more careful individuals. Creating opportunities for young people increases their involvement.

Finally, information technology instills the habit of performing a service for others. Students who engage early on often keep service work for the residue of their lives.

How Do I Observe Opportunities Near Me?

Almost colleges and universities maintain partnerships with community groups, governmental agencies and service organizations. Making use of their resource is a bully way to get started.

At Elmhurst University, the service learning webpage lists more 60 community partners in need of educatee volunteers. Students who wish to count this work every bit service learning tin can speak to staff nigh classes or contained study options then they can also engage in theoretical learning and reflection activities.

How Do I Do good as a Student?

Through service learning, students:

Learn more than well-nigh their relationship with the communities they appoint with
Larn more about their chapters for serving others
Refine their controlling abilities and acquire other career-related skills
Better sympathise the meaning of responsible citizenship
Abound in their awareness of cultural differences

Explore Elmhurst University

The Elmhurst Academy Service Learning program matches students who experience a responsibility to serve the community with opportunities to aid. Visit our Community Partners page to learn more, and follow us on Instagram or Facebook.

Want to learn more? Asking information today!