Benefits of Service Learning
The benefits of service learning are equally shared among the community, the student, the faculty, and the university. When the stage is set for a high quality service learning experience, the performance will result in any number of academic, social, political, or emotional enhancements.
The Faculty benefits through…
- Identifying areas for research and publication related to current issues.
- Connecting meaningful service to current issues as they relate to academic areas of interest.
- Engaging students with a teaching method that departs from the lecture-driven classroom.
- Providing increased student contact while contributing to student development.
- Connecting academic discipline to social issues and problems.
The University benefits through…
- Faculty and student engagement in meeting community needs.
- Positive relationships with community and agencies.
- Better prepared and qualified university graduates ready for work force.
- Extended knowledge of and resources for university.
- Diverse research, enhanced teaching, and outreach to community.
The Student benefits through…
- Opportunities to provide valuable services to the community.
- Real-life experience to enrich and apply classroom knowledge.
- Skills development and career exploration.
- Civic development and cultural literacy.
- Fostering a sense of social responsibility, which improves citizenship.
- Opportunities that accommodate different learning styles.
The Community benefits through…
- Assistance in carrying out solutions to community needs.
- Accessing affordable professional development.
- Contributing to the educational process.
- Building a positive relationship with the university.
- Gaining access to the university’s resources.
- Involving future students in university life.