Benefits of Service Learning
The key to service-learning is that it is mutually beneficial for the students, the faculty, the college, and the community.
Benefits for the students
Service-learning…
- gives them practical, hands-on, experience that connects directly to their course work and allows them to contribute positively to the community while earning course credit
- exposes them to new environments, people, and situations
- provides them with a deeper understanding of the course content
- gives them opportunities to directly benefit the community and be an active citizen that is making a positive difference
- can also help them explore interests and give them insight that will help them make future career choices.
Benefits for the faculty
Service-learning helps faculty…
- foster experiential learning connected to course content. These courses give faculty the opportunity to help students see the topics they are learning in class come to life
- connect theoretical concepts to real life experiences
- increase their interaction with students
- generate collaborative experiences among students
Benefits for Lake Forest College
Service-learning…
- strengthens the college’s connections in the community and encourages students to be active citizens
- creates more value for students by increasing interaction with faculty and positively impacting retention
- demonstrates to students the professional skills that their course work is providing them.
Benefits for the Community
Service-learning projects…
- provide valuable assistance with research, service delivery, planning and application of academic theory to a wide variety of projects
- infuse new energy and ideas into organizations
- help organizations advance their community-focused missions
