Service learning: In the service of what

In today age, service learning has become very prominent in local schools. 

The ability for students to get out in the world and do their part to make a difference has really become a large part of our educational norm. But as the title of the reading  "In the Service of What?"  by Joseph Kahne and Joel Westheimer states that doesn't mean whether or not you are working at a food pantry or the senior citizens home down the street but whether or not you actually understand why you are doing it. From this reading I pulled some fairly important quotes. The first one is " In addition to helping those they serve, such service learning activities seek to promote students' self esteem, to develop higher-order thinking skills, to make use of multiple abilities and to provide authentic learning experiences- all goal of current reform efforts." I picked this quote because I felt as though it helped give a better idea as to the many benefits students get form doing these service learning projects. I firsthand can tell form my experiences of working in schools that I have learned so much from working with the kids and feel a thousand times more comfortable working with them now then I did before. In addition I feel as though I have gained so much new knolege and feel as though I know how to use these abilities to my advantage. The second quote I enjoyed was " The approach to service learning by Mr. Johnson stresses charity and the ways in which participating in service and reflection can develop students' sense of altruism." I chose this because I feel as though in today's world many children don't see the need to help anyone but themselves and by making kids, especially older ones begin helping people of less fortune without expecting anything in return, the world will become a better place. And that connects to my final quote "In contrast, much of the currant discussion regarding service learning emphasizes charity, not change."

The reason why I chose this quote is because as shown in one of the charts it states the charity is the art of giving while change has to do with the aspect of caring. And if children only focus on the idea of charity and giving I feel as though they will never reach true altruism and care about the difference they are making. And in the following link http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=service+learning+project+effects&FORM=HDRSC3#view=detail&mid=7948D401E1947CB778F37948D401E1947CB778F3 it discusses the service learning project going on at Fred Becker Elementary school.

 Finally In conclusion I feel as though through service learning projects children are becoming more aware of their surroundings and how they can improve the world around them.