The Key Center

SERVICE-LEARNING: GENERATING REFLECTION

Reflection on the experience of service and its meaning is what differentiates service-learning from volunteerism and community service.  There are as many ways for students in a class to reflect meaningfully on a service project as there are projects, classes, teachers, students, and service sites. The following very general suggestions should be helpful to teachers in deciding what would best suit their goals for student learning:

Write a paper (for the teacher, the class, the agency served . . .)
Write a case study
Compile a report
Write a computer program, create a website, develop a brochure . . .
Keep a journal/portfolio
Write a guide for future volunteers
Write a plan for future agency projects
Write an evaluation of the program served
Publish a newspaper/magazine/journal article
Do an oral presentation for the agency/the class/a small group
Do (or direct) a presentation, on-site, or for the class
Participate in a whole-class/small group discussion
Discuss an issue with community members
Present ideas on the project to the public (a school board, a United Way review committee)
Give testimony before policy-making bodies
Develop and present a video, film, slide show