Benefits of Service-Learning

Benefits of Service-Learning
Service-learning has potential benefits to everyone involved: students, faculty, and the community.

STUDENTS in service-learning classes can benefit academically, professionally, and personally. These are just a few of the ways:

Increase your understanding of the class topic
Gain hands-on experience (possibly leading to an internship or job later)
Explore or cement your values and beliefs
Have opportunities to act on your values and beliefs
Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Grow your understanding of diverse cultures and communities
Learn more about social issues and their root causes
Improve your ability to handle ambiguity and be open to change; become more flexible
Develop or enhance your skills, especially in the areas of communication, collaboration, and leadership
Test out your skills, interests, and values in a potential career path, or learn more about a field that interests you
Connect with professionals and community members who you will learn from
Grow a professional network of people you might connect with again later for jobs or internships
Satisfy your urge toward public service or civic participation

FACULTY can benefit personally and professionally from integrating service-learning into courses. Teaching with service-learning can:

Encourage interactive teaching methods and reciprocal learning between students and faculty
Add new insights and dimensions to class discussions
Lead to new avenues for research and publication
Promote students' active learning; engage students with different learning styles
Help students achieve the U of M's undergraduate learning and development outcomes
Develop students' civic and leadership skills
Boost course enrollment by attracting highly motivated and engaged students
Provide networking opportunities with engaged faculty in other disciplines
Foster relationships between faculty and Twin Cities community organizations, which can open other opportunities for collaborative work
Provide firsthand knowledge of community issues; provide opportunities to be more involved in community issues

COMMUNITY PARTNERS participating in service-learning can benefit in these ways:

Gain additional human resources needed to achieve organizational goals
Inject new energy, enthusiasm, and perspectives into the organization's work
Grow the organization's volunteer pool: service-learning students will share their experiences with friends and classmates
Increase public awareness of key issues
Reach out to youth—an important part of any organization's future support
Educate students/youth about community issues; correct any misperceptions
Help prepare today's students to be tomorrow's civic leaders
Network with colleagues in other organizations and agencies
Identify and access other university resources; build relationships with U of M faculty, students, and staff