Service learning allows students to work with community
Christy Carlson
Issue date: 11/2/09 Section: News
Service learning is a way that students can learn and develop skills through participation in thoughtfully organized service experiences that meet actual community needs that are coordinated in collaboration with schools and communities.
Service learning provides students with the opportunity to acquire new skills and knowledge in real life situations.
It also enhances and extends what is being taught in schools so that students can apply their learning skills to the community and help develop a sense of caring for others. It is a hands-on approach to education created to connect college classes to the real world.
Volunteer State Community partners up with the community to help organize some type of project to better the community.
Some examples of service learning projects that students are involved in are Get Fit Sumner raising the awareness of fitness and nutritional to elementary schools and Bledsoe Creek State Park Project where students helped solve storm-water drainage problems.
Service learning is about learning to work as a team as well as learning to work as an individual and has many goals and benefits that students may gain.
It gives students a chance to improve their critical thinking and communication skills. It is a way to make a difference not only in their life, but in others as well.
"Grades are not based on the students work, but is graded by what they have learned and experienced," said Marla Shelton, secretary of career placement.
When projects are finished, students are given time to reflect. Not just self -reflection, but reflection on what they have accomplished and experienced. Students will also have a chance to interact and communicate with other students, as well as their teacher, about what they had experienced and gained from it.
Vol State is very fortunate to have this program because it is preparing students for real life events and situations.
"This is our second year with the service learning program. The program is a capacity for a sustainable practice," said Dr. Rick Parrent, director of career placement. "Students are learning to work together. Their work is also included in academic experience."
Vol State is also one of the many schools that are associated with the Tennessee Campus Compact. The Tennessee Campus Compact promotes the service learning.
Vol States service learning program is becoming global. Other people have been recognizing the work that our student's on campus have been doing.
Carolyn Moore and other directors have been looking with other countries such as Argentina and Africa to spread the practice. Vol State also communicates with other schools to find and help better service learning.
For more information on service learning, talk to Parrent, or go online to www.volstate.edu/servicelearning.
Service learning provides students with the opportunity to acquire new skills and knowledge in real life situations.
It also enhances and extends what is being taught in schools so that students can apply their learning skills to the community and help develop a sense of caring for others. It is a hands-on approach to education created to connect college classes to the real world.
Volunteer State Community partners up with the community to help organize some type of project to better the community.
Some examples of service learning projects that students are involved in are Get Fit Sumner raising the awareness of fitness and nutritional to elementary schools and Bledsoe Creek State Park Project where students helped solve storm-water drainage problems.
Service learning is about learning to work as a team as well as learning to work as an individual and has many goals and benefits that students may gain.
It gives students a chance to improve their critical thinking and communication skills. It is a way to make a difference not only in their life, but in others as well.
"Grades are not based on the students work, but is graded by what they have learned and experienced," said Marla Shelton, secretary of career placement.
When projects are finished, students are given time to reflect. Not just self -reflection, but reflection on what they have accomplished and experienced. Students will also have a chance to interact and communicate with other students, as well as their teacher, about what they had experienced and gained from it.
Vol State is very fortunate to have this program because it is preparing students for real life events and situations.
"This is our second year with the service learning program. The program is a capacity for a sustainable practice," said Dr. Rick Parrent, director of career placement. "Students are learning to work together. Their work is also included in academic experience."
Vol State is also one of the many schools that are associated with the Tennessee Campus Compact. The Tennessee Campus Compact promotes the service learning.
Vol States service learning program is becoming global. Other people have been recognizing the work that our student's on campus have been doing.
Carolyn Moore and other directors have been looking with other countries such as Argentina and Africa to spread the practice. Vol State also communicates with other schools to find and help better service learning.
For more information on service learning, talk to Parrent, or go online to www.volstate.edu/servicelearning.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Marla Shelton
posted 11/04/09 @ 6:09 PM CST
Christy,
This is a wonderfully written article!
Also I'd like to let students know, in the Service Learning office, we have a notebook with detailed information on agencies, where you can do service-learning. (Continued…)
Marla Shelton
posted 11/05/09 @ 6:25 PM CST
Update: The dates for this project have been CHANGED to Sat. November 14 and Sun. November 15. It will take place from 1-6 PM both days. Transportation can be arranged. (Continued…)
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