Experiential Learning

Service Learning

What is Service Learning?

Service learning at Stevenson allows you to apply the knowledge and skills that you’ve learned in the classroom to meet a genuine need in the community. Service learning engages you in authentic, real-world experiences to help you better understand course content and reflect upon possibilities for personal and social change.

When you participate in service learning, you become skilled in relating theory with practice, while experiencing a sense of civic responsibility, building connections with the community, and enhancing your employment opportunities after graduation.

In some courses, service-learning is an integral part of the class. A typical service learning course requires an additional commitment of approximately 2-3 hours per week serving the community, or a total of 20-30 hours per semester.

Service Learning vs. Community Service vs. Internships

• Community Service – Any volunteer activity that focuses on meeting the needs of individuals or bettering the community. Community service may be one-time or ongoing. Although the hope is that the volunteers providing the service will learn things such as life skills and processes along the way, the learning is secondary and unintentional because the primary intent is to serve.
• Internships – Generally career or job-oriented and are designed to provide students with practical, hands-on experience in relation to their academic field of study. Internships can last a semester or one year and primarily focus on the students’ career development.

Benefits of Service-Learning

Enrolling in service-learning classes benefits you academically, personally, and professionally. The following are a few ways service-learning enhances your educational experience:

• Deeper understanding of subject matter as well as complex social issues
• Integration of concepts from class to authentic issues
• Increased sense of social responsibility and citizenship skills
• Enhanced interpersonal and collaboration skills
• Increased cultural competency
• Improved leadership and communication skills
• Increased ability to solve problems creatively

Benefits of service-learning also extend to faculty and community organizations. Faculty report enhanced teaching due to the practical application of the more theoretical concepts discussed in the classroom. It also provides opportunities for research, connections with community organizations, and outlets for professional expertise. Meanwhile, community partners receive valued service and institutional support which enhances the organization’s capacity to achieve their mission.

For more information about service-learning, contact Dr. Christine Moran.