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Essay / The Benefits of Community Service-Learning Programs
Community Service-Learning Programs promote positive social change by providing opportunities for students to learn and grow through active participation in a Carefully organized and structured community service learning environment. It also engages students in active learning that demonstrates the relevance and importance of academic work to their life experience and career choices. These types of programs allow students to reflect on their service experience as it relates to their coursework, personal development, and help develop civic responsibility through community involvement. In order to begin a community service learning program, the needs of the community must be identified. Educators collaborate with a community organization and community volunteers to identify community needs that meet the program's course learning objectives. Faculty from the service center consult on the design and implementation of the courses offered. Together, they identify community partners, develop a list of resources and materials, recruit learning assistant volunteers, create workshops....