How is service learning different from community service?
Community service generally centers on volunteerism; that is, setting aside time or resources to assist a pre-existing group. The goal of community service programs in schools is to help students to reach a higher level of citizenship and teach them the importance of community involvement. While service learning also incorporates those goals, its primary aim is to teach the student skills relevant to his or her chosen field of study while illustrating the role those skills can play in strengthening their communities. Service learning does this by actively engaging students minds and voices at all stages of the service learning project. Students are responsible for selecting their own projects and community organizations, and to reflecting on the experience through online discussions, journals, class presentations and papers about their projects.
