Question 1) Is Service Learning the most effective way for students to achieve mastery of curriculum and state mandated standards?
Students engaged in well designed, real-world Service Learning projects use problem solving and critical thinking strategies, excel academically, achieve mastery of grade appropriate curriculums across a wide variety of subject areas, work cooperatively in small groups, develop good citizenship, negotiation, and consensus building skills, hypothesize, extend what they have learned, use technology, and have a great deal of fun throughout the entire process.
By definition, an integral aspect of a Service Learning project includes the active involvement of Community Partners. In the course of a Service Learning project, students have invaluable interaction on a regular basis with Community Partners both in and out of the classroom. This real-world connection is a critical adjunct in achieving curricular, citizenship, and project related goals.
The effectiveness and power of Service Learning is predicated on the foundation of student ownership in their educational process. When a Project’s successful completion becomes personally important to students, it provides a unique opportunity for teaching and learning based on personal responsibility.
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