Talking points #5

In the Service of What? The Politics of Service Learning by Joseph Kahne and Joel Westheimer


Premise
School
Community
Service learning
Community service
Requirements
Help
Learning
Homelessness
Compassion
Kindness
Volunteering
Kids
Classroom
Lessons
Life

Argument

Kahne and Westheimer both argue that service learning is a great aspect to a classroom curriculum but that should not be the only requirement. They feel if you require them to work with the homeless they should also learn more about agencies that help and read about homelessness and also help in their community.


Evidence:

1. "Efforts to integrate service learning activities into the curriculum have great potential and deserve the support they are now receiving." Incorporating service learning into the curriculum not only gives the students the lesson it gives them the hands on experience that they can learn from and better their community with.

2. “These two service learning projects have much in common. Both provide authentic learning experiences, reflection on matters of social concern, and opportunities for interdisciplinary study linked to curricular goals.”

3. “They stress the importance of compassion for those in need, and they encourage children and young adults to find ways to help.”

Points to share:

I thought this article at times was a bit challenging and drawn out however it did have a good point to it. Community service is a great aspect to a classroom and it has been in the classroom for many years. I can remember since kindergarten doing some type of service whether it is collecting cans, charitable shows or just volunteering. The service learning here at RIC is also a great experience. However I think what helps it work is that we talk about it and learn from the experiences of what and what not to do in our FNED class maybe not directly but the things we talk about will be in the back of our minds when we have our own classroom someday. I think service learning is a great part to any classroom.J