Service learning is a unique addition to the Roger Williams curriculum that should be taken into consideration by all colleges and universities.  Its potential to accomplish great things for students and community member is unparalleled

Lane, Savannah

English

DOCS@RWU

Reason and RespectVolume 3Issue 2 Spring 2007 Article 32-4-2008Benefits of service learningSavannah LaneRoger Williams UniversityFollow this and additional works at: http://docs.rwu.edu/rrCopyright ©2-4-2008 by the authorsReason and Respect is produced by The Berkeley Electronic Press (bepress).For more information, please contact mwu@rwu.edu.Recommended CitationLane, Savannah (2007) "Benefits of service learning," Reason and Respect: Vol. 3: Iss. 2, Article 3.Available at: http://docs.rwu.edu/rr/vol3/iss2/3•• RESPECT IA JOURNAL OF CIVil DISCOURSE AT ROGER WilLIAMS UNIVERSITYBenefits of Service LearningSavannah Lane, Creative Writing '10During the past few years, Roger Williams Universiry has implemented a service learning program calledCommuniry Connections that requires freshmen students to participate in various service activitiesthroughout the local area. According to the RWU Service Learning website, the goals of service learning areto "nurture the core value of communiry service in our students while meeting the needs of the communiryby fostering partnerships, encouraging and supporting service learning initiatives, and offering resourcesand opportunities for civic engagement" ("Goals"). Even though the program is relatively new, universityrepresentatives are pleased with its success. The service learning program is a beneficial part of the RogerWilliams learning experience, and should remain a part of the curriculum because of its abiliry to assiststudents in gaining new perspectives, to form life-long bonds, and to provide different learning environments.Those who oppose service learning claim that it is not the responsibiliry of the universiry ro instill values.For example, in his article "Save the World on Your Own Time," Stanley Fish argues that "The universiryis primarily a place for teaching and research." Critics also disagree with taking away class time to performcommuniry service and argue that, while service is good, it should be done on students' own time. Whatopponents of service learning don't consider, however, is its potential to greatly impact students as much asrraditionallearning.When students enter a university, they most likely have an outlook that has been influenced by theirhome, town and school. Leaving these comfortable environments for the first time, while occasionally nerve-racking, provides an experience like no other. In college, it is important that views are challenged and opinionsare formed through the different experiences encountered. Communiry service is one of those experiences. Bystepping out of their "comforr zone," students are forced to participate in activities theynormally would not. Some of the sites that students went to on Communiry Connections day during Fall2006 include senior centers, churches, the Narragansett Bay and local YMCA's ("Community Connections").Recently, freshman participant Katie Conte told me that she worked for a home restoration company anddid yard work for housing developments in Pawtucket. When asked if the activiry was something she wouldhave done normally, Katie replied, "No, but it was a rewarding experience." Being thrown into unfamiliarenvironments might make students feel awkward at first, but after awhile they will be able to see their laborpositively effecting members of the communiry around them. For example, some students that assisted inteaching mentally challenged students how to dance said that they were impressed with the activiry and itsabiliry to allow them ro see the mentally challenged in a different light. Whether students walk away pleasedwith the experience or not, they will walk away with a different perspective about people and communiry,influenced by the service they perform. This influence will be helpful in shaping the people that will enter intothe "real world" once students leave college.In addition to altering perspectives, service learning brings a variation to the learning environment.The goal of all universities should be to educate students with the use of several techniques and methodsthat stimulate the mind in different ways. The most appealing part of service learning is its unique abiliryto dramatically change the normal learning environment. HomeHearts, a home schooling support website,includes an article titled "Learning Sryles" which mentions three rypes oflearning sryles: visual, auditoryand kinesthetic. Jr also discusses the ways in which each style offers different benefits to students. Similarly,service learning offers the benefits of learning in different ways because it changes the atmosphere from arypical classroom setting, to a hands-on situation that requires participation different from usual classroomdiscussion. In order for students to accomplish all that is necessary in universiry education, a curticulumwith varied teaching approaches should be adopted to acknowledge different learning sryles. Knowledge thatis obtained through several experiences is more likely to impact and stay with students. In her article "Let'sLearn about Learning Styles," educational reviewer from the Eclectic Home School Resource Center, PegFlint, says that the way students' process information is based on the choice of materials and the way in whichthey are received. Service learning is a perfect way to expose college students to new learning atmospheres.1Lane: Benefits of service learningPublished by DOCS@RWU, 2007In addition to providing new experiences and learning atmospheres, service learning helps srudents fosterlasting friendships with their peers. When students unite to achieve a common goal, they work together,problem solve, and focus on a purpose. Through this rype of group arrangement, students will likely bondwirh their fellow group members. Establishing friendships is an essential part of the college experience, andservice learning is an oudet for forming those bonds. By working on projects that positively impact thecommuniry around them, students might feel a collective sense of accomplishment and pride that they willshare for the rest of their college career. From that point on, whenever group members run into each other,they will have that commonaliry as a basis for creating a relationship. From a personal point of view, I lookback at my experience and see how positively it has affected me. I painted a garage at the Bristol Fire Station.I worked together with my fellow group members, dividing tasks and assigning responsibilities. Later on,I found that I had classes with some of those people and have become ftiends with them. We will alwayshave that experience to look back on. Communiry Connections has the potential to be the start of manymeaningful relationships.Service learning is a unique addition to the Roger Williams curriculum that should be taken intoconsideration by all colleges and universities. Irs potential to accomplish great things for students andcommuniry members is unparalleled. Not only does service learning open the eyes of students and give a newperspective, it provides a different learning atmosphere and allows its participants to bond in a unique way.Considering these factors, service learning should be a university requirement.Conte, Katie. Personal Interview. 5 November 2006.Fish, Stanley. "Save the World on Your Own Time." The Chronicle. 23 January 2006Chronicle Careers. 8 November 2006. http://chronicle.com.Flint, Peg. "Let's Learn About Learning Sryles." HomeschooL Learning StyLes.4 November 2006.http://members.aol.com/PegFlin t."Goals of Service Learning: Mission." Roger WilLiams University. 4 November 2006. http://bb-7.rwu.edu."Learning Sryles." Homehearts JournaL. 2001. 4 November 2006. http://www.homeheans.com/styles.2Reason and Respect, Vol. 3 [2007], Iss. 2, Art. 3http://docs.rwu.edu/rr/vol3/iss2/3

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