Service Learning Growth
What are some factors contributing to the growth of service learning in career colleges?
The success of earlier programs and the need for colleges to enhance their visibility and reputation within the community have driven many schools to embrace Service Learning Programs. The successful implementation of these programs leads to improved community relations, improved student satisfaction and retention, and a lot of free advertising for the school. Overall, a Service Learning Program that is well managed and well fit to the community can be a tremendous asset.
Visibility and partnership! College's need to re-invent themselves in communities as leaders rather than just another "tech" school. Making SL a part of the curriculum in every school will show the community that we are partners and we are dedicated to giving our students the best education and opportunity to develop into leaders upon graduation.
I think we need labs' equipments that are similar to the companies' equipments in order that students can be in touch with technology environment.
More and more businesses and community based organizations look to educational institutions to be more "connected" to the workplace and the working world. The growth of service learning is recognized by the increasing number of community outreach programs, educational assistance and scholarships available to students today.
The attitude around service and community has evolved over the years. "It takes a village" was an accurate summary of the attitude shift, and sums up the majority view on how the world works.
Dear Randall,
We have seen a number of organizations reach out to our schools to seek more service-learning activities. This is indeed a good sign of businesses, community organizations, and schools all working together.
Trent Bartholomew
I tend to agree with this, but in my business field there are not a lot of service learning opportunities for my students. We are medical billers and coders and most facilities do not want students around the financial aspects of the facilities, so we have incurred more service learning catering to front office and medical records. Some of our service learning activities has been to let my students register the guest for the events that are being held.
Schools need a connection to the community now. With resources dwindling and the job market in bad shape, it's essential for students have to access to employers and real world experience.
Service-learning represents a potentially powerful form of pedagogy because it provides a means of linking the academic with the practical. The more abstract and theoretical material of the traditional classroom takes on new meaning as the student “tries it out,†so to speak, in the “real†world. At the same time, the student benefits from the opportunity to connect the service experience to the intellectual content of the classroom. By emphasizing cooperation, democratic citizenship and moral responsibility through service-learning, higher education connects to the wider community and enables students to contribute to the alleviation of society’s urgent needs.
Some of the contributing factors are clinical and administrative experience. Preparing the students to enter the workfield by engaging in community service. Another factor to the growth of service learning is the hands on expereince the students gain.
Many "chain career colleges" are making service learning events mandatory for all educational programs offered. Even with it being mandatory, it has led to a direct cause and effect situation; because our students have completed this this learning event, others saw our students out in the community, saw that we care/want to help, and creates a positive image of the school. The two positive effects, student retention and increasing externship sites etc.
Students have so much information to learn in a relatively short amount of time that being able to participate in SL during the learning process adds to the students understanding and "locks-in" more of the vital techniques and procedures. By having these opportunities throughout school the externship process is less frightening and in the end more successful and the college turns out better prepared graduates.
Hi Amanda.
Thank you for pointing out the crucial element of creating a positive image in the community; it is one of the great benefits of S-L events.
Trent Bartholomew
More than anything, I think it is public perception. Our industry did a lot to hurt itself, and gained a reputation as diploma mills - something that has been very difficult to overcome. As a result, we have to improve the level of education that we provide, and to demonstrate that we offer genuinely good programs and outcomes. Service learning helps us to reach our community and to gain its support - something that we absolutely need for continued success.
Hi Robert.
You have identified one of they key benefits of service learning to the community at large.
Thank you.
Trent Bartholomew
Service learning helps to give the career college a positive image. It also allow secondary students to see the engagement of career college students as they apply their skills and knowledge in the community. Students benefit from enhanced learning, the community benefits from increased services and the instructors benefit from targeted teaching.
There are a number of factors that contribute to the growth of service learning in career colleges. Community image has an important impact on the willingness of community partners to work with career schools. Impact of service learning on communities is another important factor. When service learning events occur they need to be focused on having a significant impact on the school's community partners not just the students. Word-of-mouth among students is a huge portion of building a service learning program. Service learning events therefore need to be robust and beneficial to students so they tell others about the experience.
Hi Jason.
You raise an excellent point by mentioning the important role of image--and perception--which schools must strive to improve how they are perceived within their communities. If schools use s-l events to link build stronger bonds, then the students and communities will benefit greatly.
Trent Bartholomew
Recognition of the mutual benefit to communities, educational institutions and students, reinforces the concept of service learning. With ever-increasing demand for resources strained by cutbacks in funding for many state and federally supported programs, students become a more valuable resource to meet these shortages. Campuses benefit from greater student retention, while fostering positive relationships with the individuals and communities served. Students benefit from experiential learning, with opportunities to develop marketable critical thinking and problem solving skills, while networking within their future careers.
