Service-Learning

Service-learning is an instructional method that connects academic learning, personal growth, and civic responsibility through active participation in service experiences for young people. Effective programs work to meet actual community needs that are coordinated with the school and community. Schools often integrate the service activity into the curriculum with time structured for students to think, talk, and write about what they did and saw during the service experiences. Some schools have developed a service-learning component for graduation requirements.

These service-learning programs are growing, largely because of the far-reaching benefits for students, schools and communities. In Pennsylvania, for example, more than 6,300 students and adult volunteers provide close to 250,000 hours of service to their communities through service-learning programs.

A service-learning program at Harmony Middle School (Bloomington, IN) has gotten very positive results. Recently, students traveled to Illinois to help with flood relief victims. They are also involved in bi-weekly local service projects that they choose. Students choose to work at places that include a Head Start program, a recycling center, and a veterinarian's office. Each Wednesday morning, students are responsible for getting to and from their jobs. The ongoing basis of the program allows them to establish a relationship with the people at their respective employer.

Students highly recommend the experience too, and suggested doing it once a week. Ursina Hastings-Heinz, a teacher at Harmony, says, "They are out in the community doing work that is meaningful for them."

Ursina Hastings-Heinz & Katy Kelly, Harmony Middle School, P.O. Box 1787, Bloomington, IN 47402. For more on service-learning call the National Service-Learning Cooperative at 1-800-808-SERVE.

This document was last updated 6/29/97 by Chandra Hawley.
Copyright1996 Indiana University - Center for Adolescent Studies, all rights reserved.
Kris Bosworth eachers and students can also: use retrieval systems like "Gopher" to find information for research projects; browse through the Library of Congress card catalog; send electronic mail to colleagues around the globe; read and post notices or lesson plans on electronic bulletin boards (Several Teacher Talk lessons have come from these); or subscribe to any of hundreds of newsgroups, which are like topical newspapers read on the computer screen. Newsgroups cover a broad range of topics including Distance Education, Autism, Ethics, or Politics.

To link up to the Internet, you need a computer, a modem, and a telephone line. Next, you will need access to an institution or agency that is linked to the Internet. Most colleges and universities are linked, as are most state's Departments of Education. To learn more, contact the technology coordinator at your school or call the Department of Education in your state. We look forward to meeting you and your students in cyberspace!

With so many services, how does one gain access to this valuable resource? Universities and corporations can sometimes provide access for nearby public schools. Several online computer services provide limited access, but offer additional services available only to subscribers. Only a few road maps are available for the "information superhighway." Therefore, you are encouraged to explore and to ask directions. Remember, though, even if you get lost, you will never be far from home. Most state departments of education have a consultant well traveled in "cyberspace."

Additional Reading:

Online Computer Services

(involve user fees):

Access Providers:

For additional information about access providers, call InterNIC Information Services at 1-800-444-4345.

This document was last updated 6/29/97 by Chandra Hawley.
Copyright1996 Indiana University - Center for Adolescent Studies, all rights reserved.
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