Read the New York Times article using the link below: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/03/education/edlife/03service-t.html?pagewanted=all
Have you thought about the other side of service learning? Do you think service learning hurts or helps organizations that accept student volunteers? Why? Do you think that it is important to have plans in place for both the organization and the student volunteers to optimize the learning experience? Why or why not? How is service learning a positive educational experience for students? How can it become a negative experience?
167 comments:
ghk
This article is an accurate summation of my own personal feelings shortly after reading the article. Service Learning could indubitably help an organization, but as the article touches upon, there must be a clear practical purpose which is mutually beneficial to both student/organization. If this were not to be the case, time would be wasted on both sides and be a possible detriment to the original environment of an organization. That being said, it is pertinent that some kind of plan must be in order to optimize the benefits gained by such an experience. Service Learning may act as a positive educational experience for a student as it allows them to improve on personal tools they can use in their professional careers.
I think this article did a good job at explaining the benefits of Service learning but also showed how without the proper instructions and knowledge service learning could be a pain for both the organization taking in the student and the student. If a student goes into something without the proper instructions on what they are expected to do then the organization also won't know what they can allow the student to do and at times they leave without a positive experience. I think what the University of Texas does with having both organization and student sign a contract stating what the student is expected to do and the hours they need to go is a good way to go about doing service learning. Also the evaluation at the end of the semester could help the student see how they did and potentially establish contacts with that organization.
@ Nicholas i also agree with you that service learning could be a positive educational experience for the student and could help them improve and acquire certain tools for their professional careers.
In the article, the author stated that many schools are focused more on ensuring the students learn as much as possible through their service learning experience rather than paying attention to the organization and what their expectations are. I think that the relationship between the student and the organization providing the service learning is very important. Before starting service learning, there should be an agreement regarding what the organization expects from the student and what the student wants to learn through their service learning experience.
@ Nicholas I agree that if there is no agreement made between the student and organization prior to the service learning experience, that time would be wasted on both ends.
I think this article did a fairly good job with explaining how Service Learning can help organizations. the goal needs to be clearly understood in order to maximize the help from the volunteers. I think its important for schools to incorporate Service learning into their curriculum so students from the universities and even the small communities can work together to achieve a similar goal. The organizations and the universities should keep a well documented file of contracts to enforce the rules of the program.
@ Nicholas i agree if the students and organizations do not sign a contract that explains the rules and expectations, the time the volunteers put into the program is wasted, as well as the time that the organization invested in the volunteer.
@ Vanessa i agree with you that the Service Learning does have its possibility to be a positive educational experience. Not only will the students learn the things they need to learn or want to learn, the volunteers get a sense of pride in helping a student out as well as learning valuable lessons that can be used in their professional careers.
Just like the article I believe that Service Learning can be both a blessing and a curse. For Service Learning to work there should be a plan decided upon, by the academic institution, faculty and the non-profit organization. The University of Texas requires their students and the non-profit organizations that are involved to sign a contract first. This contract lists the dates, hours and the service that the student will be providing for the organization. This is when Service Learning can be beneficial because there is a set plan of instructions for the student so that they can go to the organization knowing exactly what they have to do. Without a plan there is no point in having Service Learning because there is no guidance which will only lead to confusion and a waste of time and resources. A good plan will result in students gaining experience that will help them in their future careers. It will also help the organization because they are working together to achieve a goal that can ultimately help the community as a whole.
@Stefanie I agree that the organizations and the academic institutions involved in Service Learning, should keep a documented file of contracts so that there is no confusion. If there is then the organization and academic institution can just go back and look at the rules that they agreed upon.
@Vanessa I agree with you that evaluations are a good idea at the end of the semester because it allows the student to establish contacts that can possibly help them when looking for a job in the future.
@Sarah I agree that if service learning is organized and set up correctly that it could lead to a really positive experience for both the student and the organization.
I feel that this aricle is clear and explicite in its explanation on service learning. from the view point of both the academic institution and the community organization. The positive and the negative aspects to service learning are clearly spelled out, giving the reader information to help improve service learning for the students and the
organization. The most important part of the article in my opinion is that although their are flaws to how some institutions and organizations go about service learning, hands on experience is a crucial part of learning.
Vanessa: I think Vanessa gave a good response to the article by pointing out the positives and negatives on service learning. She also highlighted on how the University of Texas handles Service Learning with their students and the community.
Claire: I agree with Claire that the relationship between the student and organization providing the service learning is very important. I also agree with her idea on having an agreement regarding what the organization expects from the student and what the student wants to learn through their service learning experience. I feel with an agreement like this each student will have the chance to be more successful through service learning.
Alyssa T.
EDU 364 05
I think Service Learning can and should help both the organizations and the volunteers, if given the proper guidance. I, myself took part in a Service Learning assignment at an Elementary school last semester. I tutored a young boy who was left behind because he could not get the help he needed because there was not enough staff. Throughout the semester, through the time I spent wit him, i watched his grades and reading improve as well as his confidence. By the end of this service learning I realized teaching was definitely the right field for me to go into. I also truly thought that service learning was a great experience for me. I think it is important for both the organization and the volunteer to have a plan. Without a plan, not hing gets done and you end up wasting time. This is not beneficial and neither the organization the volunteer is not getting the most out of their time. A negative experience can result from these volunteers not having the proper knowledge or instruction. What volunteers gain from student learning can help them grow and also establish relationships and contacts with these organizations.
Alyssa T.
I agree that the commitment between the volunteer and the organization is very important. It makes it more professional rather than community service.
@ Sarah i also believe that if service learning is organized and set up the right way it could lead to a good experience. This is true for most things in the world. Also if the volunteer is prepared and has knowledge of this task or in this area this could help as well.
This article definitely explained Service Learning in dept and how the student and organization can be affected, from both views. I think Service Learning can help the student as long as there is a plan and communication within the student and organization throughout the process. The students can benefit from this as long as there are instructions, both need to be on the same page to progress. I think there should definitely be guidelines or contracts in the system so both the organization and the student know what is expected and can set up a goal. If nothing is expected or understood, it'll just be a waste of time to both the organization and the student. This system can lead to a positive outcome and if it is a positive experience it could definitely benefit the students in their futures.
@Sarah, I agree with Sarah when she says there should be a set plan given by the institution, faculty and organization, it'll definitely benefit in the end with guidelines, or a plan. She also menshioned The University of Texas requires their students and the non-profit organizations that are involved to sign a contract first. I think that would definitely encourage goals and result in positive experiences.
@Vanessa, She menshioned that if a student goes into something with no layout or plan then it'll probably be a waste of time for both the student and organization. I completely agree that Service Learning can be apositive or a negative experience. With the proper plan, it can benefit the student
@Sarah , as you have touched upon, the University Of Texas' use of a contract surely facilitates a form of service learning which is beneficial to both student and community. A schedule and guidelines gives structure to a task which could otherwise be inefficient (even with the best intentions).
I thought this article did a good job on explaining the task of service learning, as well as focusing on what the organizations and volunteer work need. It is very important for service learning to recognize and distribute the proper directions to benefit students for the future. If the students become educated by it positively they can use these new skills to affect the community all together.
@ Vanessa - I agree that there must be a clear practical purpose to benefit the student and organization. Service learning is a great educational experience for students to use in their professional careers. I also agree that time would be wasted on both parts if students are not being benefited as well.
@ Brielle - The positive and negative aspects are clearly shown in this article making it clear to the community and students what needs to be changed. I also agree it shows there are flaws that need to be fixed and a hands on experience is a crucial part of learning.
I have never realized that there would be a negative to service learning before reading this article. So therefore I didn't even realize there was another side to service learning. It is interesting to see that community members are frustrated with students trying to do their part. I suppose if the student isn't actually proactive and is just trying to get their hours without actual effort then the student could end up being a burden. I think service learning overall helps organizations otherwise no one would accept them. It is probably true that some end up needing to be babysat, but for the most part the organizations end up getting free temporary employees. It is definitely important for there to be a plan in place for the student and what he/she will do for the organization otherwise the student can end up being a burden on the community. Service learning is a positive educational experience for students because it gives them a chance to help and do their part. This allows students to feel needed and a useful part of society. The negatives seem to come out when students are unprepared or unmotivated and just want to get their hours clocked and be done with it.
@ Lisa ... I definitely agree that if there is no plan or guidelines then it will end up being a waste of time on both parts. The article did a good job in implying this should be a major consideration in the service learning process.
@ Alyssa.. I also had a positive experience with service learning and I would say the organization would agree. This has plenty to do with the planning but also the commitment I was willing to give.
I feel as though this article regarding the Service Learning program is very influential. It thoroughly explains the pros and the cons which is always important. Although a positive experience is not always guaranteed in the end, it provides a student with the option to improve on personal tools which is beneficial to a student and their future career. It clarifies how Service Learning can help organizations in effective ways. However, the downside may be that it can be a waste of time in the sense that if the student and organizations do not sign a contract explaining the system’s policy, including rules and regulations. Despite the contract, the article clearly states what is expected when using Service Learning and therefore proves to be useful and beneficial to community organizations and academic institutions.
@ brielle- I also highly agree this article was very clear in stating what its goal is for community organizations as well as universities. It is also true that the most flaws to how some institutions and organizations go about service learning, hands on experience plays a major role in learning.
@ Stephanie and Nicholas- I believe a negative aspect of the Service Learning could in fact be that time may be wasted on both ends if there is no set standard and purpose that will be beneficial to students as well as the committee. This can definately be a downfall of the program.
To be quite honest, before I read this article I had no idea what "Service Learning" even was. Before reading this, I would have simply called it volunteer work, but I realized there is more to it. Service Learning is educational, and can create good future contacts and references. Service Learning can help a student determine whether they like what they are doing in their particular field of studies. I feel that Service Learning is positive, but only when it is professional and concrete between all three parties involved (School/University, Organization, and the Student). Service Learning has to be done within a student's major, otherwise it is ineffective.
@Breanna... I agree that the negatives of service learning come out when students are unprepared or unmotivated and just want to get their hours clocked and be done with it. Service Learning should not be deemed as "busy work", and it should always play a positive role, otherwise it is a waste of time.
@Nicholas...I agree that Service Learning can help students improve on personal tools they can use in their professional careers. It is literally a hands on experience for the students. Service Learning can help a student determine whether their career path is the right or wrong one they should be on.
I think organizations can highly benefit from service learning programs. By working with students and getting them committed to its mission, an organization promotes a new generation of volunteers for their own broader cause. Beyond benefiting the organization, serving learning offers students a host of benefits that contribute to their growth as individuals. Also, through service learning, students begin to realize at a very young age that they are a valued resource and can make a positive difference in their own communities. Service learning is often an experimental and creative pursuit, which sometimes means things don’t work out as planned. These failures are still successful for students as long as something is learned in the process.
Diana Albert
EDU 364.05
In my opinion, this article does a good job at highlighting both the positives and negatives of Service Learning. When a Service Learning program is implemented properly, it can benefit all of those involved. It can give college students experience with communities of different backgrounds and socio-economic status, which can better prepare them for their future careers, especially those who wish to enter a helping profession. Though Service Learning can have a great impact on those involved, if it is not set up properly, and there is a lack of communication between the university, the student, and the location the Service Learning is taking place, it may be less beneficial. As the article states, those persons included in the program must understand the goals and expectations of the service, as well as how it connects to the classroom curriculum. I had the opportunity to do Service Learning in one of my classes, and found it quite beneficial.
@ Lisa Marie I agree that there needs to be clear instructions on what is expected from all parties involved. I too think Service Learning can be a positive experience, but must be done properly so that everyone included can benefit from it.
@ Vanessa I also think that if Service Learning is implemented properly it can be very beneficial, but if it is not done with any organization it can just be chaotic. I think the University of Texas is a good model of how Service Learning should be planned. Hopefully other schools will look to them as a template to their own programs.
@Breanna...I also agree that service learning has the most benefit when the student is invested in the cause. The student volunteer has to be very clear about what he/she is hoping to gain from the experience otherwise it becomes forced work which is not what service learning is intended to be.
@ Jessica D....I completely agree. These programs are most effective when students gain experience in their chosen careers, particularly those students who get bored easily by sitting in a classroom and listening to lectures. They might better understand material as they see it put to use.
I completely agree with this article. While the classroom structure is important there is nothing like the actual experience in the field. Books and notes do help us to articulate and remember information, but it is the real life practice that helps us really learn. Community service is important and like the article said a lot of students do not have time for it. However, if the teachers and professors made the course load a little less and focused more on service learning it could be very beneficial. I think that students will learn a lot of valuable information while also helping the community. Another good point that the article pointed out was that you will not really know your true passion for a particular area until you try it out.
@Jessica
I agree with your comment, while the article does make it clear that you may find out that you do not love the opportunity in end I think its important that you discover your feelings about the area your interested in getting involved with before you commit yourself. For example, you can take a class that requires you do complete service learning and in the beginning you think you’re interested in but then you find out that it is not for you.
@Breanna
I like how you pointed out the negative in service learning. Being an undergraduate student and taking my second college course that requires me to do service leaning, I have felt that I could become a burden on the other professionals involved. Although, I am trying to not only complete the requirements for the course, but also learn from the experience, I have felt like I was just getting in the way before.
I definitely think Service Learning is beneficial, whether it be to the student, the organization, or more times than not, both. Through my own personal experience doing Service Learning primarily in school settings but also in situations such as working with the with elderly in Puerto Rico (who did not speak English), I've found that people really can benefit from it, as the organization gains extra hands to accomplish what they need to get done completed, or they learn something new about how to benefit their organization (as seen in the article), the student is also learning new things about him/her self, practicing and/or perfecting skills that can help in his or her chosen career path, or can have his/her eyes opened to things in the community around them (like the students who used what they learned in IT to help the local center, or as I got to practice my Spanish skills as a Spanish major with those who really enjoyed my company and wanted to have conversations with me), for example.
@Amanda, I completely agree with your comment that books and lessons can only teach you so much, but it isn't until you get out into the field that you truly learn! From driving to medicine to teaching to working a cash register in a store!
@ Jackie B
I agree with wat you said about If the students become educated by it positively they can use these new skills to affect the community all together. The purpose behind service learning should to leave with the feeling that you have learned something positice that could help you in the future.
@Vanessa, I really like the point you referred to about the need for a mutual agreement (such as a contract) that establishes what is expected of the students and what the goals are for each party, and what needs to be done and what protocol must be followed along the way; it makes things much clearer and therefore makes it easier for everyone's needs are met and everyone really does benefit from Service Learning.
JoBeth
EDU 364-04
This article explains that in order for Service learning programs to be successful and productive, there must be a huge commitment from both parties. It seems as though over the years there has been much improvement with service learning programs. As the article points out, Ms. Medina Lichtenstein changed her opinion about service learning, and rather than being overwhelmed from the large number of students looking for programs, she began to appreciate the great benefits these students bring to the community. It is amazing that two students designed a website and database system for Ms. Lichtenstein that enabled her to complete an annual report in only 20% of the time it had previously taken her to do so.
After reading this article I have decided that service learning really helps. Individuals and communities benefit from the skills that college students have to offer. Service learning is also important because it gives students a "hands on" experience, which will either reinforce a student’s desire to work in a particular field or as in the case of Ms. Witt, the student will realize the he/ she would be happier working in a different profession.
@ Lisa Marie - I agree with your statement that Service Learning can be effective when both parties are dedicated to the program, and yes there must be supervision of the program in order for it to be successful.
@ Nicholas – Great points, and I fully agree with your statements about the factors needed for a successful service learning program.
@ Vanessa – I agree that a contract is an important component of a successful service learning program, and it also states the commitment and obligations of each party involved.
After reading this article i agree that Service learning can be a positive activity for schools to incorporate into their computer classes. But to keep this organization working smoothly the students need to know exactly what they are supposed to do and have the teacher explain everything the way she believes the servive learning should teach. Otherwise it can be too time consuming and possibly a waste of time. but otherwise i believe a lot can learned using Service Learning both for the students, teachers, and the learners.
@Brielle i agree with your comment. Their is definitely positive and negative but overall the program is a very educational and a good lesson for students.
@Nicolas i also agree with your comment. I believe as well that Serivce Learning can absolutely help improve a students personal tools that they will use in their future professional careers.
364-05
I think this article does a good job and explaining the relationship of service learning between the community and the student impact. I can see how lack of guidance in service learning may result in confusion and unclear expectations. It is definitely important for schools to incorporate service learning into the curriculum so students can gain experience learning about local communities and the current conditions of them. I think the story of Anne Witt really does an excellent job telling what service learning is all about since she began the program with certain expectations of her major and by the time she was done she considered a career in teaching.
364-05
@Jessica- I agree that the article is influential & proves that service learning can be beneficial
@Alyssa T- I agree that the commitment between the student and the organization is very important and ultimately crucial in the successfulness of a service learning opportunity
The article definitely addresses the fact that without the proper planning and goal setting, students can be lost when entering service learning. In turn, the organization that is working with the students will be left at a lost as to what they can and can not allow the student to do there. Whenever someone is going into an experience like that, they need to have an idea of what they want to get from it and what they need to do to get that positive experience. If the students are guided, like at the University of Texas, then the success of a positive experience is more easily attained. Goal setting and knowing what the student's clear and logical objective is in the service learning, makes it more beneficial for both sides.
@Amanda I completely agree with you when you say that the most valuable knowledge is attained in the field through community service and service learning.
@Nicholas I agree with you when you state that service learning can be a useful tool when students embark onto their careers. There is nothing more beneficial than first hand experience.
Julianne EDU 356-05
@nicholas I agree also with the opinion that Service Learning could be a positive educational experience for a student. Therefor it could allow him/her to improve on personal tools they could use in their professional careers. This could be a great learning experience and could be beneficial for the students.
Julianne edu 346.5
This article did a good job on explaining how Service Learning could help organizations. In my opinion it was a very informative article. But if Service Learning is going to be used there needs to be support and time put into it. The program would defiantly need organization and administrate structure. It would also need financial support to be successful.
Julianne edu 364.5
@lisa marie
I agree that Service Learning can help the student as long as there is a plan and communication within the student and organization throughout the process. I also agree that the students can benefit from this as long as there are instructions. This can only be a positive thing if there is communication and a set plan in my opinion.
EDU 364-04
(Section 04)
I think the article does a good job of showing how service learning has evolved over time. It shows that 100% effort is required from both sides for service learning to be successful. In the article, it mentions that volunteers “can be as much as a curse as a blessing.” I disagree with this idea because service learning can only be beneficial for the students participating in it. It teaches them a life lesson that will never be taken away from them and they will never forget. It is imperative that students are fully engaged in the activity for them to get the full experience out of service learning. As long as the student is engaged, there is no possible way it can be a curse because every student should be exposed to diversity, poverty, and reality.
In some cases, service learning may be hurt by accepting student volunteers that aren’t fully committed. Regardless of the students’ commitment, or lack there of, it will only have a positive impact on the students’ life, which is why I feel it should be mandatory. I think that there needs to be a plan in place for both the organization and the student volunteers to optimize the learning experience. Do you go into ANYTHING without having a plan? A plan should be included in just about any task you perform in life.
@ Jessica D. 364.04, I didn’t know what Service Learning was either before this article. I liked what you said and I completely agree.
I think this article displays the positive side of service learning and shows all that a person can benefit from participating in service learning. However it also demonstrates the negative aspects. In the beginning of the article it shows how frustrating service learning can be for both the students involved and the participating facility. It is overwhelming for the participating facility,but it is also discouraging and frustrating for the student when the facility is not coorperative. In conclusion I believe service learning is a helpful tool if used under specific appropriate conditions that please both the student and facility.
I agree with @Jessica D 364.04 before reading this article I didn't completely understand service learning and also thought it was just volunteering. This article has opened up my eyes to service learning and really the complexity of it.
@Crystal W EDU 364 05. I think you bring up a valuable part of service learning that is often forgotten about. It is not only the organization that is benefitting by gaining extra hands, but it is also an excellent learning program for the student themself.
In the article, Does Service Learning Really Help? the author discusses the importance of service learning, if it is done right. The student/volunteer and organization have to work together to benefit both sides. Both should have an end goal and the organization should be prepared for the student. The staff should be prepared to train and supervise the volunteer. The colleges can create contracts for the student and organization to abide by. This way they know what is expected of each other. If service learning is done right, I think schools get students involved and set courses up for it. Like Anne Witt, I think it could have a positive influence on many students.
@Jessica D. I agree with you that student has to be commited and a plan has to be set. Without it would be difficult for it to have a positive influence
I think that this article explained service learning in a clear and informative way. Not only did they discuss the positives of completing service learning but also the negatives. I like that the artice stated how many times students have very little if almost no time to complete service learning and get the whole and most valuable experience. With that I think that if a new way in assigning service learning is put into curriculums so that students had a little more time to decdicate to helping organizations,the student and organizations would get a better experience from the serivce.
@ Emily: I agree that colleges can and organizations to create contracts for the student and organization to abide by so that it is clear what each is expected to do so that there is no confusion.
@ Shannon: I agree that service learnig is important for schools to incorporate into the curriculum because it is important to be active in the community and to learn as much as they can.
I believe this is a well written article that thoroughly explains both the pros and cons of Service Learning. I personally never thought that Service learning could be negative. I believe that any help at all is better than no help. I some ways more than others, Service Learning helps organizations that accept student volunteers. The students are helping out to get experience and the organization is helping spread the word. It might be difficult if it is a short term help, but like I said earlier, some help is better than none. I think it is vital to have plans set up to optimize the learning experience. Organization is key. If the plans are made then productivity will increase. Positively, students would get real world experience they might have not been able to get on their own. Negatively, some students may get stuck in situations they don't like and eventually have the experience in general.
-Natalie K 364-01
From reading this article I have definitely gained a better understanding of service learning and the planning that must go into it. Without proper organization it can be frustrating for both the volunteers and organizations to accomplish their goals. Having a set plan is truly important because it allows things to run smoothly and in an organized manner. I agree with the article that courses incorporating service learning into their classes can be beneficial for both the student and those they choose to work with.
From reading this article I have definitely gained a better understanding of service learning and the planning that must go into it. Without proper organization it can be frustrating for both the volunteers and organizations to accomplish their goals. Having a set plan is truly important because it allows things to run smoothly and in an organized manner. I agree with the article that courses incorporating service learning into their classes can be beneficial for both the student and those they choose to work with.
@Lisa- I completely agree with you that if a teacher explains and plans what service learning her students will participate in service learning can work out smoothy. If student had to go out looking for service learning on their own, it would be a lot more frustrating for the teacher and class.
@ Alyssa Tortora I like that you brought in your own experience. Also, talking about how it could have been a bad experience if both sides were not organized.
@JoBeth I agree that service learning is a huge commitment for both parties. Due to improvements in organization and the use of technology, service learning is easier to be a part of.
I would agree with this article that service learning can provide both positives and negatives to both students and an organization. There is knowledge that is theoretical and knowledge that is active. Theoretical knowledge is learned by attending classes, whereas active learning is acting on this theoretical knowledge which allows a student to have a hands on expereince of their content area, and service learning is a perfect start. Since service is learning is much like community service it does not require pay, like the article says this can be very positive because it allows programs to have an extra set of hands for free to provide them with help. The negative aspect comes in when the student does not know what he or she is required to do and becomes more of a hassle for this organization because he or she is just one more aggravation for them to rush around and figure out. Overall I feel service learning can be a benefical experience for a student and an organization if it is handled correctly.
@amandahammerschmitt I agree with you 100% and I really like how you state "Books and notes do help us to articulate and remember information, but it is the real life practice that helps us really learn." Hands on expereince is so important to have us realize the reality of our content areas.
@jackieb That is a great point you when you state "If the students become educated by it positively they can use these new skills to affect the community all together." If students have a good serivice learning experience it could benefit him or her a great deal. I also feel that if he or she happens to oversee a negative atmospher he or she could also learn because they begin to think what he or she would have done or will do in the future.
Comment by: Sara P, 364-01
Until this point I have not thought much about the organization’s view on service learning. I completed service learning at an elementary school for one of my college classes. I remember how often I had to call the school to set a time for me to come in. At that time I did not put much thought into the reasons why they may have took so long to return my numerous phone calls. I believe service learning can help an organization; as long as the organization does not lack administrative structure. This will allow them to properly accept, place, and train the students. Both the nonprofit group and the students should have a plan to make their situation go as smoothly as possible. If neither the student nor the nonprofit groups have a plan, then both their experiences may be negative. Service learning could also hurt an organization if the college sending the students does not make clear what the students are to do. Another problem with service learning, as stated in the article, is that many times the person who is in charge of supervising the students will have many responsibilities to attend to. In theory, service learning is a good idea. For service learning to be a positive experience for students, they must make the time and effort. One good idea comes from the universities of Texas where the university has the students and nonprofit groups to sign a contract. This contract consists of the date and hours of service; in addition to the service being provided. They also ask the nonprofit group to evaluate the student at the end of the service learning. The contract will tell the students what they are responsible for and show them the importance of their obligations to the nonprofit group. Service learning can help both the nonprofit organization by giving them students with new ideas to help for free; in addition, the students will have new, enriched experiences that may help them in their future careers. If done right, service learning will allow students to make connections between the service learning and their classroom; therefore, enhancing the material they learn inside their class.
I believe this article clearly states the pros and cons of service learning. I think volunteers can benefit organizations because they can bring new ideas to the organization. For example, volunteers working for a tutoring organization can bring new teaching techniques. It is important to have plans for the volunteer and organization so both are aware of what is expected. Moreover, planning can help the organization realize how much the volunteers can contribute. In addition, service learning can be a positive experience because it can open the volunteers’ eyes to other careers. It can also help the volunteer improve their skills and learn something new. As well, service learning can provide a great experience for their future career. However, it can be a negative experience if the volunteer did not learn anything from the service learning.
-Mariya L. EDU 364-01
I believe service learning does help. Students build character and become active participants as they work with others in their school and community to create service projects in areas such as education, public safety, and the environment. If service learning is used in the right way, service learning will be a great tool for today and for the future.
to annonymous:
I completely agree with you that service learning can help an organization; as long as the organization does not lack administrative structure. This will allow them to properly accept, place, and train the students. A plan must be in order in order to gain the benefits of such an experience. Service learning can be positive as long as it is done right.
to annonymous: Mariya
I completely agree with you on how service learning can It can help the volunteer improve their skills and learn something new. I also agree that service learning can provide a great experience for their future career. The great thing about service learning that it can help someone always improve. Even if someone thinks they have the skills, they will always learn something new. This gives them the opprotunity and people need to take advanatge of it.
Sean Philzone EDU 364 01
I found this article portrayed an excellent job of presenting the positives and negatives of service learning. I believe when done right service learning could be very beneficial for all parties involved. I believe one of the problems with service learning is the lack of communication between the universities and the agency. I fully agree with the idea that there needs to be a real partnership between the two parties for service learning to truly work. I believe service learning should be more dominant in colleges and universities because it is an extremly beneficial program. The college student who participates in service learning gains a priceless experience of working with others living in communities who need help. At the same time the community benefits from the services the student provides. Overall I found this article to be very interesting and very informative on the topic of service learning.
I think this article provided a good summary of what service learning is. I agree that service learning shouldn't be for credits, because ours aren't any credits. If we want to be teachers this is something we need to figure out, and service learning helps us with that path.
EDU 364 01
Laura W 364-01
Service learning is viewed negatively and positively by several people. Students enrolled in a course that requires service learning can be extremely beneficial to the student. However, the guidelines need to be established by the institution. For example, students need to be aware of the days and times; the service to be provided and the student’s performance must be evaluated at the end of the service learning. I believe that service learning is essential to our learning as future educators. Service learning exposes students to different and diverse population that may not pertain to the major that they declares. Students attain skills and knowledge that might not be taught in a class or presented in the course’s textbook. In order to make service learning beneficial, a relationship is necessary to develop among students, faculty and community/organization. This relationship will give the students an opportunity to develop an understanding on the population being served.
@ Sofia P
I agree that if service learning is used in the correct way that the student will be able to benefit from their experience and use their experience for the future.
@Mariya L
I agree how volunteers can bring in new ideas to the organization. I feel like both parties can benefit and learn from service learning. I hope the process becomes clearer and provide future educators with better experiences.
I had not previously considered the negative aspects of service learning. Lack of organization and communication in any activity will most likely be ineffective. I think the University of Texas contract idea would be useful in helping eliminate these discrepancies in service learning, which may make service learning less of a burden on those responsible for organizing, training, and maintaining the activities. In my opinion, I think we are extremely lucky to have “too many” people that want to help when so many other areas have more needs than help. The benefits of service learning for students and those they are helping can be extraordinary and life changing. I think the benefits make it worth taking the extra time to ensure efficiency.
@ Anonymous
Do you think many students in other areas of study would voluntarily participate in service learning?
@ Sean
I agree with your comments that the individuals and communities themselves benefit from service learning. I believe that these reasons make it worth going through "the trouble" of communicating and organizing.
This article had good view points on how service learning could help you. My personal feelings on service learning are that you can only learn so much in the classroom. Its true from reading, and doing school work you are gaining education. However that education can only get you so far. With out a place to apply that education in many ways you are not accomplishing much. In field experience you are able to take your knowledge and apply it. From this you are not only taking your education to another level you are gaining much more. Majority of the time in service learning you are learning things you could never get from a book, or from taking a class.
@ Claire I couldnt agree more that the relationship between the student, and the service learning organization is extremely important. In order for the student to get the most out of their expierence, their relations are key. The better relationship you have, the more open your mind is, the more open you are to learning. By having a good relationship with those in a service learning enviorment, you are more open to critisim, which will only better yourself in the end.
@ Alyssa T. I agree that the service learning organization also plays a major role. The people who are supposed to be teaching you need to be willing and ready for all that comes along with it. It's wonderful that you were able to find your true passion through your service learning. I believe that is another reason it is important to get involved in a desired field. Sometimes those who dont get the chance to do so go through so much to get there and realize its not for them. I have also had a similar experience in my field work. I couldnt be happier, or more confident that teaching is what I want to do with my life.
Never really thought about it from the other side of service learning. I agree after reading this that it can be both a blessing and a curse depending on the size of the organization and other factors. There really needs to be some form of contract since I have known many people who have just made up a service learning since there is no official documentation needed. But if done correctly, the organization gets another set of hands and the student gets a hands on, out of the classroom life-enriching experience.
Rachelle Curasi
EDU 364 01
Service learning can most certainly help an organization, but like the article states it can also be harmful if there is no clear understanding between the organization and it’s volunteers. Some volunteers appear simply to fulfill their required hours where as others are there to really help and give back to the community. In order to distinguish between the two, there should absolutely be a plan in place to increase the benefits for all parties. Service learning has the potential to be a positive educational experience for students who want it to be so. It is my personal belief that service learning helps an individual grow intellectually and spiritually.
Rachelle C.
EDU 364 01
Service learning can most certainly help an organization, but like the article states it can also be harmful if there is no clear understanding between the organization and it’s volunteers. Some volunteers appear simply to fulfill their required hours where as others are there to really help and give back to the community. In order to distinguish between the two, there should absolutely be a plan in place to increase the benefits for all parties. Service learning has the potential to be a positive educational experience for students who want it to be so. It is my personal belief that service learning helps an individual grow intellectually and spiritually.
This article really did a good job in expressing both the good and the bad of service learning. The article allows all of us see that without having knowledge of what service learning really is about, could cause more problems for an organization. Service Learning could be beneficial to so many people if all who are involved help to make it that way. Being unorganized is one of the easiest ways to ruin an organization involved with service learning. I really like how The University of Texas has both the organization and student sign contracts that state what the student will be doing to fulfill their service learning hours. If a student does not know what they are suppose to be doing, they will not be any help at all.
I agree with @Claire. If the organization and the student doing the service learning hours do not have a good relationship, the student may feel uncomfortable and not want to complete the hours, which causes the problems for the organization.
@Rachelle C i think you are right when you said that their should be a form distinguish between people are who are just fulfilling hours, and people who truly care and want to give back to the community.
364-01
It is understandable why the instructor did not agree with service learning at times. Sometimes it may be difficult to have to be teaching a group of students and also have to making sure that the volunteers are being kept busy. Having service learning volunteers may actually be beneficial to schools in different aspects. At times a teacher may need some extra assistance or may not be as tech savy as the volunteer. These volunteers are there to help and having extra hands can never be a bad thing. It is also beneficial to these volunteers because it gives them experience and it helps these students network with the teachers and the schools. It definitely is important to have some sort of plan because it keeps everything organized and it also ensures that both the teacher and the volunteer are both aware of what they have to take care of. As stated above the positive experience would be surrounding themselves around that type of environment and getting a feel of what it is like. Also, having a connection with the school, administrators and teachers may be great for references and even jobs. The only negative experience that may occur is having a teacher that may not want to partake in the service learning experience. Overall, the service learning experience is something positive and should be integrated in every school district.
@Rachelle C. - I agree with the statement that was made about the students who truly want to give back vs those students who are just going to collect hours. There could be some conflict and animosity between the two different types of volunteers.
@Meagan O'Connell - I also agree with your statement that it is important to have background information on the place that you are volunteering. Going into a place blindsided may pose some issues with the volunteer and/or the teacher.
Rebecca P. EDU 364- 01
This article did an excellent job in explaining the advantages and disadvantages of service learning.Service learning expands the minds of the volunteers in hope that in their experience, they would appreciate what they are doing. However, a problem that occurs is that some professors do not guide or prepare the students for what they are going into. All in all, I believe that service learning is a great way to expand ones knowledge of their community but guidance and organization are KEY.
I have similar feelings as @Meagan O. I liked how the University of Texas had the students sign a contract along with the organization so that they know what they are doing.
@Patricia V. I agree with your statement when you were talking about the importance of planning. Organization is key and without that everything could become chaotic.
Dan EDU 364-01
This article was very useful in comprehending why service learning is important. I also feel that as a future educator, service learning will aid me in my experience toward future teaching careers.
Michelle 364-01
I think that this article did a great job of explain the great things that can come out of service learning. But I do think that there can be negatives like the article briefly touched upon between the organization and its volunteers. I do think it is very important to do some sort of service learning project in your life time because you can get a great experience out of it. I do think it is very important to be organized with both groups and have both the volunteers and the organizations know what is going on. as a future teacher I do think this is a very important to have. So students can learn this great experience.
This article was definitely eye opening about Service Learning. It acknowledges the good and the bad. I agreed that the good is being able to have experience and then being able to talk about it with others. I believe it is helpful to have this experience so you can compare and share with your classmates on what you learned and then you can take notes on what others learned.
This article highlighted both the pros and cons of service learning, explaining how at its best service learning can be a highly educational experience. It allows for students to take what they've learned in the classroom and pass it along to others. It also tells of how unpreparedness can hinder the learning experience for both parties.
Service Learning offers a unique opportunity to escape the monotony of classroom walls, continuing education in the real world. It is important to use what is learned within the classroom and integrate it into our worldly experiences. However, I think it is sometimes easy for professors to forget that full time students often have jobs outside of school that need tending to and should be more considerate of what little time we do get apart from the classroom. Service Learning programs can really enhance the knowledge shared at school, but when programs are poorly organized they only add additional stress.
Service Learning can definitely help organizations that accept student volunteers, but as the article states there should always be a consensus between the volunteers and the organization. Service Learning is a great way for people to get to know one another. It is extremely important to have a plan in place for the organization as well as the student volunteers. Putting a plan in place helps for everyone to stay focused on what they need to do. Service Learning is a positive educational experience for students because it allows students to work with different types of people. Service Learning can benefit all people involved as long as the program is well organized and everyone knows the task at hand. It is a great way for students to gain experience, working with people when they have to go into the workforce.
This article did a good job at describing not only the benefits that service learning can bring, but also showed the draw backs; due to the proper organization and instruction. One point in particular that stood out to me was the need for organization and proper instruction between the volunteer and the organization.
I agree with Simone that service learning is a positive thing; it allows for students to interact with different types of people, cultures, views, etc. and form relationships.
Kathleen Cox EDU 364 01
I think that service learning can benefit different organizations in different ways. When you have volunteers doing the job they are there because they like what they do. The individuals who volunteer are not doing it for the weekly paycheck like everyone else is. However service learning can also be difficult because it is not always easy to find volunteers to do the job. Also without a plan there is no point in having Service Learning because there is no guidance which will only lead to confusion and a waste of time and resources. There must be guidelines that are followed and adhered to be successful. Service learning is a great benefit to the student because it allows them to test the waters and see if this is the content area that they love.
This article was a great example of demonstrating both the pros and cons of service learning. In my opinion, I think service learning helps organizations that accept student volunteers, however, under certain circumstances. I think that if the organization and the student both are aware of what their expectations are and take them seriously, the expereience can be rewarding on both ends. I think the organization will allow the student to learn so much about whatever it is that they are participating in, while the organization will be made aware of any problems in their organzation or what they may need to improve on. In addition, they will be able to see the successes that their organization has as well. For students service learning should be a positive educational experience due to the fact that they are involved in first hand experiences and are learning things that cannot be taught in the classroom. It can become a negative experience if the students do not take what they are doing seriously and blow it off as a “requirement”. All in all, I believe service learning is a positive experience if both the organization and the student commit to what they’re doing as something serious.
Alexa D. EDU 364-01
I never really have thought about the other side of service learning. I only thought about what I would be doing to help someone else. I think service learning helps organizations that accept student volunteers because it is getting kids involved and giving them life experiences that would have not have gotten if they didn’t do it. I do think that it is important to have plans in place for both the organization and the student volunteers to optimize the learning experience because of some problems that may arise with a student such as them not showing up they planned for some students to not come and maybe ask a couple more who they believe will definitely come through and do it. Service learning is a positive educational experience because it gets students to go out to different communities and help those who are in need. It really makes you feel better about yourself knowing that you helped someone else. It can be negative by some kids not getting the experience they thought they were going to get and those who say they will do it and in the last minute back out. EDU 364 01
Courtney Glasco EDU 364-01
I think that this article did well in discussing both the positive and negative points to service learning. Service learning has the potential to be highly beneficial. This depends on the ability and capabilities of the person whom is teaching or priding the service. If that person is unorganized, doesn't really give it their all, and is uneducated about what they are teaching, then the service learning will ultimately be a waste of time and pointless. The only was in order for this service to be conducted is if all participants are knowledgeable in that content area, organized, and have commitment, then the outcome of the service learning experience will be positive and have the ability to help.
@alexa d...I totally agree with what you are saying. Service learning has potential to be successful if there is organization. I think that you nicely wrote the pros and cons extremely well in your response.
@kristy p...I agree with your point about the little time that students have. I personally work 40 hours per week and taking 17 credits this semester, along with 2 hour observations per week. As much as service learning can be beneficial, it can also be a negative when the student is not 100 percent involved within it.
Personally, this article taught me a lot about the positive and negative impacts of service learning. The other side of service learning shows that its purpose is not always practical or correlated to the curriculum being taught. I think service learning both helps and hurts organizations because service learning gives certain organizations exposure, but these organizations are sometime criticized for not clearly pertaining to a curriculum. It is important that plans are in place to optimize the learning experience, that is the whole point of service learning in my opinion. Service learning is positive educational experience because it allows students to take their learning outside of the classroom and put their knowledge and effort into beneficial community organizations and activities. It can be negative in that these organizations are often unnoticed and not given the proper time and funds to provide for these children. Also, it may be hard for students to commit to service learning if there isn't specific dates and hours of service recorded.
@Kristy P... I agree with your point that service learning that's the learning experience outside the classroom into the community and gives realistic perspective to in school curriculum
@Casey F... I agree with your point that if service learning is not correctly implemented, it can hinder the learning experience.
In order for Service Learning to be beneficial to both parties there must be an organized plan that has been unanimously decided on. Without a plan, the Service Learning projects could be more destructive than helpful. The plan should involve a timeline, achievement benchmarks that will be completed each session, and and overall goal that each party wish to accomplish. Along with a plan, the Service Learning team should be well versed on what they are trying to accomplish/teach to the other party. If the Service Learning team is not competent in their area, it could create an environment of frustration, which could lead to nothing getting accomplished. At the end of the Service Learning, both parties should complete an evaluation form to explain what teaching strategies worked/ didn't work, if the Service Learning team was well versed or not, how much the other party learned from the Service Learning team, and any other comments about the Service Learning experience. This could help future Service Learning teams plan and execute their tasks much easier.
Through reading this article I learned that a lot of hard work and planning from the educational institution is required in order to have a fully enriching service learning experience. And that when this is done incorrectly it can actually have negative effects on the organization and the students. These effects include placing a heavy burden on staff, providing students with “busy work”, and creating a bad environment for students. Overall, I think that the positives outweigh the negatives and that most students who participate in some sort of service learning activity will in the end be more enriched and have a better understanding of the world around them.
@Grace Healey...I agree with your comment that in order for Service learning to be successful there should be a well thought out plan of action.This also helps the student to know how service learning is helping them personally.
@Kristie Kosinski...I agree with your thoughts that when there is a set out plan for students and the organization they are working in their overall experience will be enhanced.
This article explains in a summary the benefits and disadvantages about Service Learning. As stated it seems they lack a plan to execute Service Learning correctly. They need to come up with a way to get everyone there involved for the right reasons, and if possible show how and what they are doing to execute the expectations of Service Leaning. In the end I think it is important that the students leave with a positive experience, which can be reached as long as they come up with a better plan. As long as the organizations and the students work together they can reach the goal of Service Learning.
@Maggie Reynolds I completely agree, I think as long as the organizations and students fix the problems and come up with a plan, this can continue to be a great learning experience for students.
@Kristy K I agree that the article shows the pros and cons about what Service Learning can do to organizations and also students. They need to focus on getting a plan and making it a positive experience for everyone involved.
This article has shown me that service learning can be both a blessing and a curse. The article shows that if Service Learning is mandated those running it could be caught with a sticky situation. I completely agree with that. ON one hand the people running the Service Learning will be getting extra help, but it would be from people who could possibly not want to be there. If someone is forced into volunteer work they are less likely to actually want to help. I feel as if Service Learning is a great system to get students into volunteer work as long as it is something the student is interested in. If a student is placed into Service Learning they will also need the proper instruction. Like the article says without the proper instruction the students could be wasting their own time along with the time of the people in charge.
This Article did a really good job of explaining what it was like on the receiving end of service learning. To me, I think service learning can both help and hurt student volunteers. It helps them by providing the extra hands needed for some of these projects, however if the service is a requirement it could ultimately hurt those being served when the volunteers are only interested in a grade or completing an assignment. I think that plans to optimize the learning experience for both the students and organization are necessary in order for both to come out of the experience in an overall positive way. To students service learning can give them a positive educational experience by introducing them to something they could have never experience had they been not given the opportunity.
@Taylor M
I agree with what you said. I think that in order for a student to be successful in Service Learning they need to be in it for the right reasons. If they are in it for the wrong reasons they will not get any good out of it
@Matt C I agree that the service learning can be both a blessing and a curse and disorganization can lead to issues for those receiving all the volunteers
@Erin A
I agree with what you said, the students can both help and hurt the people they are volunteering for. If they want to help they could be a great asset, but if they dont they would only be a burden.
Before reading this article, I have not thought about the other side of service learning. I believe that service learning helps the organizations that accept student volunteers. I feel this way because I believe that service learning can improve academic outcomes of students and improves social skills. Since service learning is usually done by youths, it is also beneficial because the volunteers can offer new creative ideas. I think that it is important to have plans in place for both the organization and the student volunteers to optimize the learning experience, because this way there is a set plan and both the organization and the volunteer will be on the same page. Service learning is a positive educational experience for students because it increases their understanding of specific topics/subjects, helps to develop critical thinking skills, helps students become more flexible, and it helps to keep the students motivated/encouraged. Service learning can become a negative experience if there is no organization. It can also be negative if there is not enough money for funding and if the organization lacks administrative structure.
The article presented a good argument about how, without the proper instruction or clear practical purpose, Service Learning can be non-beneficial to the participating parties. Although Service Learning has its benefits, many of the organizations are actually suffering because they do not have the extra staff to properly train or manage the students that come from their universities to work. Another issue found was some of the tasks that were being done were basically just community service, which needed to be done for the small organizations such as painting benches, but this did not benefiting the students at all. On the other hand, some students were able to come into Enlace de Familias and assist in creating web and managing systems within one day and change the way their system was run by cutting their annual report from a week, to one day. Professors cannot expect students to learn and gain experience from 20 hours a semester but if the organization impacts the student enough, perhaps they will continue to offer their services.
This article I feel does a good job of explaining the plus’ and minus’ of service learning. I feel that the process of service learning can both help and also hurt the student volunteers. Service learning helps by giving an extra hand which in some cases is needed for certain projects that need to be completed, but it could potentially hurt those who need to be served because the volunteers are only interested in getting graded or completing an assignment. For the students the service learning can give them a positive and proper educational experience which by introducing them to something that they have never had an opportunity of using could actually be a great opportunity for learning.
This article lets us have a clear view of the both sides of the service learning scenario. I haven't thought much of it until I read the information this article had to give. Service learning could be of great positive outcome if it is well organized and structured. Organizations receiving volunteers should have the time and space to come up with plans and goals that they want volunteers to accomplish. If not, your just going to find yourself with an unstructured program. Students could have a positive educational experience if they truly want to be there, but if it's mandatory then things could turn negative very rapidly.
The article opened my eyes to seeing the benefits to service learning. When going though a service learning program I never really thought about the positives the others around me would be experiencing along with what I was. I think service learning is an excellent thing for organizations because they get to have a variety of different people come in with different personalities and life experiences. When a vast number of people come into an organization there is diversity, opening that company to expand their horizons to be better, whether it be in their chosen field, or to just make their employees grow as people. I think it is important to have plans in place, not only in a service learning environment but in any situation. Without organization and set planning there is less organization which can lead to confusion and a less production rate. Service learning can be a positive experience for a student because it can help them grow and improve on their skills and professional goals.
Thomas D edu 364-05
This article made me aware of the tribulations that can occur with serice learning.I believe it starts with productive communication with the school officials and organizations . Then productive communication from officials to the professors. They then can prepare their students correctly and can have a productive learning experience that benefits both parties. While service learning projects could be tough to fit in a students schedule and cause confusion for an organization, with proper communication it can be a great experience. This experience can help broaden their type of work and their understanding of those in need by giving back to the community.
Before reading this article I did not think about the other side of service learning. I had always believed that service learning was a positive experience for all involved. I think service learning helps organizations that accept student volunteers because it is a valuable learning experience. It is extremely important to have plans in place to optimize the learning experience. There must be infrastructure to support it. There needs to be organization and structure. Service learning is a positive educational experience for students because it exposes students to ideas that may not be learned inside a classroom. It can be a negative experience if the student does not really want to be there.
@will b I agree that it can be a negative service learning experience if the student is only involved to earn a good grade rather than helping.
@christian I agree that service learning could quickly turn into a negative experience if it is a mandatory assignment and the student does not want to be involved.
This article really opened up my eyes to the burden volunteers can cause, especially if those volunteers do not really want to be there in the first place. Many organizations clamor for volunteers, but when volunteers are required to be there for school instead of there of their own volition, I see how constantly training a revolving door of people seems pointless. I think service learning can be truly effective, but the article stresses that the service should connect the student to his or her area of study which makes more sense to engage volunteers and hopefully make them want to stay as a volunteer past their required number of hours. It's hard to feel like you are making a difference if you are relegated to sweeping or cleaning. Having a contract is a great way to iron out some of the disorganized aspects of service learning so both parties can get on the same page as far as expectations.
Lauren Spotkov 364-05
This article explains service learning well. According to the article, many schools are ensuring that students learn through service learning. It is a very effective way to learn because they learn through experience, and by "doing."
Service Learning helps organizations that accept students, because they can learn a lot from new point of views. I have thought of the other side of service learning, but I feel that it does help both the student and the organization. It is an education experience, because they are learning in the "real world." It can be a negative experience if it is being taken advantage of and students aren't taking their service learning "job" seriously.
I feel that service learning is a good experience for the students. When children are able to interact during their education they can learn from different people and different points of views that may help keep their interest in subjects that they may not have been very interested in previously. I had experience participating in service learning and I enjoyed it a lot and saw how the students became more interested when a new person came into their classroom to teach them.
Service Learning undoubtedly presents its difficulties, most notably in the management and effective placement of volunteers. In addition, the elusive principles of dedication and effort from the volunteers themselves can make it difficult for an organization to fully evaluate if the interchange between the volunteer's services and the resources expended on them is actually worth the result. However, if properly controlled, both the organizations and the students involved can benefit greatly from the communal partnership because of the valuable learning experience that the students are undertaking, and the additional help the organization is receiving. But, as with anything involving volunteering, effort is needed from the volunteers, less a student becomes simply a burden to the organization they are engaged with, so properly addressing students' interests beforehand would be a deeply beneficial service to optimize the Service Learning experience.
Sara Meyerback, 364-01
I believe that service learning helps organizations. Service learning is an excellent way for students to volunteer and teach other students and adults how to use programs. Service learning most definitely needs to have some sort of structure and organization for both the student and the teacher. The positives of service learning is that a student is exposed to peer-learning, they are learning how to do something new and broadening their opportunities that future jobs may require them to know. However, service learning can be negative; if the learning does not want to learn, then they should be entitled to say no, they should not be forced to learn how to use a specific program.
Service learning can be a positive experience for both the students and volunteers. The volunteers can be exposed to a new different environment, to things they would have not experienced through their courses, as well as helping out others. It is important that the service learning programs is well organized, and the volunteers and faculty are on the same page. Service learning can be a positive experience for every one who is involved; however, everyone should be interested in getting involved because that can effect what you learn from the experience.
Melissa Allen EDU 364-01
Overall, I believe service learning is a positive opportunity. Students are engaged in work that can not typically be found in a classroom. While working as a volunteer, they learn lessons about the world that create lasting impacts on themselves. It also helps organizations as they gain an extra hand when needed. However, I feel it is important for educational institutions and the organizations to have a communicative partnership. When students are forced to do paperwork, they don't take anything valuable away from the service learning experience. When educators and organizations work together, they can help the student gain great opportunities for knowledge in a rewarding way. If the student feels engaged, he will be more likely to completely immerse himself in the experience, and take something out of it. Once this happens, both the student, teacher, and volunteer organization benefit.
Melissa, I agree that it is vital for educational institutions and organizations to maintain a proper communicative partnerships in order to maximize the effectiveness of Service Learning. I think your statement, which states, "When students are forced to do paperwork, they don't take anything valuable away from the Service Learning experience" is partially accurate, for the labour and intensive work that volunteering requires is something of a burden in itself, and additional logistics are something that many students should not have to deal with; however, I do not believe this nullifies the entirety of the Service Learning experience.
I think that service learning can help organizations that accept student volunteers. Student volunteers can help by offering more assistance and support. It is important to have plans in place for both the organization and the student volunteers to optimize the learning experience because it outlines the volunteers’ obligation and role. Service learning can be a positive educational experience because students are exposed to different situations and environments that they would not be otherwise exposed to. Service learning, if executed correctly, can help student volunteers grow to become more educated as a person by allowing them to gain experiences outside of their classes. Service learning becomes negative if students end up monotonously answering phones, filing, and sweeping floors.
I believe that when students engage in service learning, many benefits can come out of it. Students interacting with other students is very beneficial because everyone can learn from one another in the classroom. I believe service learning can bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world for students. Certain concepts learned in the classroom come to life with "hands on" experiences which can help promote critical thinking for the students. Lecturing and reading in the classrooms fails to actively involve students, so they become bored very easily. Service learning gives students a chance to use "hands on" experiences and actively do things in the classroom. Overall, I believe service learning is a good thing for students because it gives them a way to be active in the classroom and it gives students a way to learn from other students in the classroom.
Kelly Hill EDU 364 01
I believe that organizations can benefit from accepting student volunteers. These organizations gain assistance in their services from student volunteers. Service learning is a great opportunity for students because it allows them to have hands-on experience that they cannot normally get in a classroom and get a taste of what it's like to be out in their particular field. It is important for there to be a plan between the student volunteers and their organizations because without a plan there can often be miscommunication between the two parties and often times the work that needs to be done can be done sloppily, done incorrectly, or not done at all.
Kelly and Marisa,'
I think the points you both made about service learning being a "hands-on" experience to be very accurate. Some people find classroom lecturing styles to be more educational while others prefer to be engaged. These volunteer opportunities provide those students who enjoy a more interactive a way of learning with an experience that is more suitable to them.
I believe service learning helps organizations that accept student volunteers. The student volunteers are able to assist the organizations in anything they may need help with. They are able to help others with hands-on experiences to help students further understand material. It is important to have plans in place because without any direction or goals, the experience can be chaotic and not the best experience. If there is work that needs to be done, without set plans, it may not get done or be done to the standards it should be. Service learning is a positive educational experience for students because it gives students an experience they would not get in their classrooms. Students are able to help others and they are also able to learn from each other.
Kelsey, I couldn't agree more. I believe organizations need students volunteers to help shape these students and give them the best shot in learning so they can reach their individual full-potential. I also agree with when you when you said student volunteers are able to help other with hands-on experiences to help them learn further. I am a firm believer in hands-on learning and also multiple intelligences. That is why student volunteers and service learning can really help differentiate the learning process for each and every child.
This article did a great job of telling what service learning is like from the receiving end perspective. I think that service learning can be both beneficial and harmful to student volunteers. It benefits them by having the extra hands available to help them on a project, but when a student is not really interested into the service and just wants to complete an assignment and get a grade it is not beneficial at all. I believe that in order for both students and organizations to benefit from services provided, plans to optimize the learning experience for both parties is a must. Service learning gives students a positive educational experience by giving them the opportunity to an experience that they may have never had the chance to otherwise.
Kenny Levandoski EDU364-01
I have never thought about the other side of service learning before. I do believe that overall, service learning does help organizations, but in order for that to occur there must be structure and money to train and supervise the students. Without this, the organization can experience havoc from students who do not have a clear agenda of what they need to be doing. Havoc can also occur if students have no supervision and they are not doing what they should be doing. Even though there are downfalls, service learning does help organizations by giving them volunteers and assistance. It also helps the students by immersing them in the real world and teaching them lessons that go beyond the classroom. I think having a plan in place is very important for both the student and the organization. Having no plan is what will cause the havoc in the organizations. Having a plan will ensure the organization is receiving the proper help they need from the students and will also give the students the greatest learning experience. Service learning gives the students an opportunity to get a hands-on learning approach. They can also do their service learning in an organization that pertains to their future job field, so they will get a real life experience early on. Service learning can become a negative experience if the students do not go in with a positive attitude and an open mind. If a student is working in the organization solely to receive class credits and does not want to be there they will not get anything out of it. Also, the article stated that some service learning positions can be just answering phones, filing, sweeping the floors, or sorting clothes. In this case, there is not much benefit for the student.
Melissa, I agree that when service learning leaves a student doing a meaningless task such as paperwork they having nothing valuable to take away from the experience. I agree that for service learning to be most optimized for both student and organization, students should perform tasks that are rewarding and beneficial.
Joseph, I agree with you that addressing students interests before placing them in an organization would be beneficial to both the organization and the student. Volunteering, like any task, would be performed to a higher level if it is in an area of interest to the volunteer.
After acting in a service learning activity freshman year, I personally can only say good things about it. Although I'm sure there are negatives about it, personally I have never thought of them because they never effected me. I believe service learning is a huge help because it serves as great experience providing helpful information. It is also important to set plans and goals because this will show what works and what doesn't. For my experience, it was positive because it served as great experience, it was insight on something new, and I had a first hand view of what was happening. As for the negative aspect, I would imagine people may get too comfortable, close minded, and may even think all situations may be similar.
Alexander Detweiler
Before reading this article the other side of service learning never occurred to me. I think that service learning helps organization that accept student volunteers. Student volunteers don't cost any money, and a lot of the time organizations can't afford to pay for extra help. They offer more help and the volunteers can get the hands on experience that normally they cannot get. I do think it is important to have plans in place for both the organization and the student volunteers to optimize the learning experience. With plans it place it is spelled out exactly what should be going on so the volunteers are not questioning exactly what they should be doing. Service learning a positive educational experience for students because they get experience they don't always get in a classroom. Each teacher is different and while some do let you help, others are opposed to it. It can become a negative experience if you are not well versed in what you should be doing. If you are unsure you won't be able to help and teach as much as the student would need you to.
Before reading this article, I never thought about the other side of service learning. I believe that organizations are helped when they accept student volunteers for service learning. Service learning could create a connection between the student and the organization that the student in volunteering in. Students would get the most out of service learning when they are expected things from the organization. The organization will be able to provide the full experience for the student when the student outlines their expectations from the organization. Service learning is a positive educational experiences for students because it can provide them with tools that aren't always taught inside the classroom. Service learning can be a negative experience if there is no connection between the student and organization, and the student doesn't learn from the organization.
Samantha i agree that service learning can be a more hands on experiences for students. the extra help can be positive for organizations especially when they are unable to afford it. I also agree that if the teacher isn't fully trained they won't be able to give the students the full experience.
Kelsey, I agree with your idea that service learning needs to have plans. I believe the experience for the student could be chaotic if there is no plans in place.
Kelsey, I think you made some very good points.The hands on experience definitely helps students to further understand the material.I also agree that plans are important of things will certainly be chaotic in the program. I'm such a believer in hands on learning, and feel that it is such a positive thing to experience.
Brianna, I also see that you made some excellent points. I love how you mentioned that service learning could create a connection between the student and organization. This could create a great, positive relationship for both parties. However, i liked how you mentioned the flip side where it could be a negative experience. Mentioning both perspectives was very thoughtful.
This article did a great job at giving the information about service learning, and the positive benefits and also how it could have some issues. The article explains without being prepared with the right way to carry out the instructions of the service, it could be a negative influence on both the student and the organization and also a waste of time for each of them. Both the student and organization need to set up a clear and easy plan to follow and agree to for both he service and student to have a successful experience. I really believe service learning can be very beneifitical for the student because the student will use this critical thinking and personal reflection on the good theyve done for the community, combind with the classrom will help them be more well rounded people.
Ronald Bauer (EDU 364 05)
I agree that the students can get more when they add a service experience out in real life situations rather the just being in a classroom
I agree that a plan needs to be in place for both the student and service for optimal benefits.
Before reading the article, I was uneducated as to what exactly service learning is. Throughout high school, and a majority of my college courses, the positive influence that service learning can have on an individual was never brought to light. However, after loosely educating myself on the topic, I am able to determine that service learning does more good than harm. Organizations willing to take in student volunteers benefit in areas, such as having extra support to aid in the learning process. Having one on one lessons can benefit a student greatly due to the individualized attention. In general education, teachers do not have the time to fit the needs of every student and teach the lesson to each person directly. With service learning, the student can incorporate a lot of hands on learning and focus thoroughly on areas of struggle. I do believe that plans between the organization and student should be put into place for management purposes. Without structure there would be immense chaos. Taking away what is being taught in service learning, students may possibly be able to apply service experiences to everyday situations. When the service is being taught correctly, the student will be involved in eager to participate in the learning. However, if there is no direct interest and connection between student and organization, than the service would be doing no benefit for the purpose of the student.
EDU 364.01 Jaclyn T.
This article does a good job of showing both sides, the good and bad to service learning. I always believed that service learning does help organizations but this did contain some alternate valid points I would have never thought about. Overall I believe this is beneficial being that these student volunteers are there to help with whatever their needs may be. This “hands-on” experience will help the students better and kinesthetically learn the material. Without set plans, the atmosphere can become chaotic and uncontrollable. It is good to have set plans and goals. Lacking set plans, things may not get done to the best of its potential. Students should do service learning that is beneficial to them. Something they can walk away having learned something and have created memories to carry on.
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