What is Service Learning?

Service Learning is an educational method that links college and community. Guided by their instructors, students address real community needs by performing service projects that are carefully integrated within course curricula. According to research, this hands-on learning enhances comprehension, academic achievement, citizenship, and character development, often reaching students who haven't responded to traditional educational models.

At Lane, Service Learning classes vary. Some instructors incorporate a service project as an option in their courses while other instructors require a service learning project. Sometimes individual students participate in service, and other times students work in small groups at local agencies or sites. An additional type of service learning at Lane is an internship that links directly with a course the student is taking at the same time that she is completing the internship.

"Service Learning is education in action: developing critical-thinking and problem-solving skills; taking on real issues such as hunger, homelessness, and diversity; and valuing people of all ages as citizens with talents to offer." (www.nylc.org)

"What we learn to do, we learn by doing."
–Aristotle