In The Service of What? The
Politics of Service Learning by Joseph Kahne and Joel Westheimer the
importance as well as the benefits of service learning programs are highlighted
for both students and communities. Service Learning allows a student to take the
information they are learning in a classroom and transfer it into real-life
experiences while responding to the needs of their communities at the same
time. I strongly agree with this idea. Students get bored from being lectured
in a classroom and usually wonder how this will help them in their future. I
believe the most effective education is taught to us through doing it our self;
at least that is how I’ve always learned best. Service learning allows students
to have a more hands-on learning experience and connect this to the real world.
There was one section of the
article that I was able to connect to the most; when the music director had her
upper-middle class students volunteer at an elementary school in a poor
neighborhood. This reminded me of our community service being done in a
providence elementary school. I did not come from a wealthy family, but my
family was able to live without worry. I’ll admit, when I first found out that
we had to do this I was very nervous and skeptical. I am not even sure why
because my mother taught me to not be afraid of unknown places. But I wasn’t sure what to expect, how the kids
will treat me (an outsider) and how they will react to tutoring. When I arrived
on the first day to the classroom I was placed in, kindergarten ESL, the
students were all so sweet and eager to learn. They are bright children for
only being in kindergarten. They learn with hand on activities and I cannot
think of a better way. This is fun and educational for them. My prior
accusations were wrong and I am ashamed I felt that way. These kids are just
like kids from my hometown just in a different environment. I hope I will be
able to make an impact on their learning; they should be able to receive a
great education as well.
I couldn’t agree with this video more. Service learning is
so crucial. It is one thing to receive your own education but to then use that
to your advantage and help someone grow theirs is amazing.
Just wanted to let you know I mentioned your post in mine. Also I liked how you reflected on when you first started volunteering as a tutor through Inspiring Minds. I though that was a good way to make a connection to the reading.
ReplyDeleteIt's so true, how that part of the article reminded me of our service learning as well. All of our were nervous, but it is such an eye opening and great experience! Well written!!
ReplyDeleteI also connected the article to our service learning/ tutoring. The tutoring through Inspiring Minds is a great example of service learning.
ReplyDeleteI feel very relieved that I wasn't the only who felt nervous on my first day. I tutor at Mt. Pleasant High School and I honestly thought that the kids would consider me o e of their own instead of a mature adult figure. When I arrived at my assigned classroom I was intimidated by the thought that the school's student body had a stereotypical reputation of being uncontrollable but I was proven wrong. Not only did I learn that most of these students behave well most of the times, but I also reminded myself that stereotypes shouldn't control our expectations of a specific moment in life.
ReplyDelete