Service learning

Service learning is a growing component of both coursework and general education requirements at universities around the country. But just what does service learning hope to accomplish? I am in Chicago for two days doing curriculum work with the International Education of Students (IES) study abroad outfit, and the topic came up, and a member of the consortium distributed information about SCU's Arrupe Center as a place that is "getting it right." Certainly in Jesuit education one can view serving as an important education outcome for students. One has to learn how to serve, and to serve effectively. This is something that educators can teach, and a good way to teach "how to serve effectively" is in the context of practical activities. Service learning does other things too, and there is certainly much disagreement whether this is a key learning outcome for the curriculum to take charge of (as opposed to extra-curricular or hybrid programming).