I think another important factor in Service Learning is the real connection between the local college and the business community. We see many of the large Universities open up a campus in a remote city and is disconnected from the local community. Also, online colleges do not have the same connection to local communities.
Hi Jose.
Good observation. You bring up an important point in the area of online communities. It is a struggle for them to deliver service-learning events but not a complete obstacle. Our online colleagues will have to continue to be creative in the s-l events they plan so that the communities where the students live and work may also benefit from the services of its students.
Trent Bartholomew
What are some factors contributing to the growth of service learning in career colleges?
It is a win win for community, student and school.Besides helping the community, service learning promotes education enhancement as well as personal growth for the students and the school as well as developing and enhancing the relationship of all three.A symbiotic triad relationship.
One of the largest factors that has and continues to have on service learning in career colleges is the incredible impact of the internet and television. So much information and offerings about community projects and organizations are just a key away for a student to explore and contact. Another factor that contributes to colleges being more inclusive of service learning is the need for the college to have the community to realize that the college and the students are important members of the entire community and each entity has a part to play in everyone's reputation and success.
Not only ease in finding information on programs, but social media as well has contributed to the growth of service learning. It is so easy now to create a facebook page or tweet your involvement and get others on board and communicate details about the event or pictures of work sites, etc.
BRUCE,
Great insight into the need to establish SL events which create a positive impact on the school's community.
Trent Bartholomew
"Learning by doing" works, but SL needs to be formally incorporated into the cirriculum of a specific discipline in order to have the greatest big picture impact. We in post secondary education have a ways to go in that regard.
I hope we keep moving that direction.
Service learning is expanding in career colleges. Service learning helps fill the need to develop a connection between the classrooms, college laboratories and student application of the knowledge they acquired to the community. Service learning also offers learning and growth opportunities at a high level for students.
Theodore,
You accurately noted that there is a need to develop a connection in the students' minds so that they see the benefits of what they have learned in the classroom or lab put to practical use in their communities. Well done.
Trent Bartholomew
I think your comment about the community needing to realize the contributions of the school to it is very true. Often, colleges can be very segregated from the surrounding community and service learning helps build that bridge, drawing everyone closer together and building better understanding.
I agree with Rose. Building the bridge is two way - it bridges not only the community into the school but the school into the community making it a part of it.
Growth of service learning is being driven by the needs of the community, the image of the school, and the its impact on the student. It is a recognition that, when done correctly and for the right reasons, all parties involved can benefit.
Faculty understanding there are no optins for
" hand on experience"
I agree, the internet and media is a huge factor in service learning. Technology has impacted the students abitlity to connect and contact with other organization and communities.
make life ersiaer for the student to grow with his or her's education.when the social media is envoled the lines of communacation open.
Programs like the Joint Education Project at USC have illustrated the vast benefits that service learning has in building lasting relationships between campuses, their curriculum, students, and the community. These progerams have been proving their value for the past 40 years and now the broader education field has had to take notice of it's effects.
I totally agree with what Rose said. As colleges grow and become more diverse, the new influx of students will not only enhance the opportunities for the community but enhance the reputation of the college and build a better and stronger bond between both.
the biggest helpful tool of services learning is showing the students that the oppounity is out their for everyone how wants to grow in the medical field and as a new person in a new field.
Some of the factors contributing to the growth of service learning in career colleges would be the networking that the students and staff experience. I feel networking is imnportant to the success of anyone and that is just what service learning does it gives the not only the students but the faculty an opportunity to network and more opportunies are created for future students.
Students who participate in service learning initiatives gain the skills, confidence and assurance that they can perform in their field. These are qualities that cannot be taught solely in the classroom. The success rate of these students reflect highly on these students and employers resulting in increase use of the program.
