Service Learning
Building a Sustainable Community through Service Learning
Service learning is a teaching and learning strategy that combines community service and classroom instruction. Service learning:
- Awards academic credit for learning, not for service
- Focuses on critical, reflective thinking
- Develops a student's sense of civic responsibility
LCCC was selected as one of only eight institutions nationally to receive a prestigious grant that will promote service learning and civic engagementat the college. The three-year grant was awarded to develop and enhance curriculum-based service learning initiatives.
Service Learning:
- Enhances the academic curriculum
- Is equally focused on education and service
- Meets community-identified needs
- Is reciprocal - benefiting both the student and the service recipient
- Builds partnerships between colleges and community-based organizations
- Is reflective
Service Learning is Not:
- Internships, clinicals or field studies
- Volunteerism (focus on services and the service recipient but not on students and learning)
- Free or convenient labor
- Work for pay
Some Service Learning Activities:
- Math students tutor third graders in arithmetic.
- English students assist in an adult literacy program.
- Sociology students educate their peers on HIV/AIDS prevention.
- Health and Recreation students organize a community health fair.
- Chemistry students and senior citizens educate elementary
school students on proper disposal of household hazardous
waste.
- Criminal justice students walk downtown streets in a community policing program.
- Accounting students help senior citizens with tax returns.
- Computer Information students help disadvantaged youth explorer careers in computer sciences.