Service Learning Framework

What is the difference between Service Learning and community service? 

Service Learning differs from community service as it is embedded in the education environment. Community service is an action that we can take, usually voluntarily, to support causes or make positive changes to our communities. Service Learning will often involve community service as an action, but will also frame this action with more in-depth education about the reasons help may be needed. Service learning also includes elements of inquiry based learning which places an emphasis on the students pursuing information and knowledge on an issue, to then formalise problem solving approaches and solutions. It allows students to develop more connections with their environment and communities to better understand and reflect on their own role within them. 

What are the five stages of Service Learning?

Service Learning will often follow the same structure to engage students and lead them through a project:

Investigation - Students embark on research relating to an issue in the community, looking for opportunities to solve problems and navigate solutions through action.

Preparation - after formulating solutions about how to benefit or improve the area of need, students continue to develop an awareness of what organisations may already be working toward solutions.  Students also consider their own interests, skills and talents and how these may benefit their own production of solutions. Students effectively plan how they will action service.

Action - Student now use their planning to action a form of service. This is often under one of the four umbrella types of service: Direct, Indirect, Advocacy or Research. 

Reflection - This is not limited a summative task but should be a continuous process that helps drive the development of any project. Students should be become self aware learners who consider not only their role in service, but their impact and the  limitations, successes and scope of their own solutions. 

Demonstration - Students demonstrate their involvement in service through presentations, talks and galleries. They view the entire process considering the development of their project as well as their own knowledge and skills. 

What are the four types of Service students can do?

There are four major areas that students can action service in:

Direct

This is when students work directly with the communities, having a positive impact on the lives of people who directly benefit from the service. This may take the form of clearing litter, building provisions, bringing food or resources to a community etc. 

Indirect

This is where students do not work directly with the communities that their service will benefit. It often involves students working with charities, NGOs or third sector organisations that already work directly with the communities. This may take the form of fundraising or collecting items/resources for communities. 

Advocacy

Advocacy is where students are active in raising awareness about issues and problems within their own community; expressing the need for help. This can often take the form of awareness campaigns, posters, websites, and organised events. 

Research

This involves students gathering and reporting on information they have accumulated to benefit the community in some way or is as it is in the public's interest. This can be done in the form of research about a community in need and their culture, could take the form of data collection within the community, recording oral histories or stories for future generations to learn from etc.