Exemplary Project

Service Learning & Sustainability

Service learning is “a teaching and learning approach that integrates community service with academic study to enrich learning, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities” (Learning In Deed, 2005).  Service learning has a dual function to enrich students’ understanding of curricular objectives and to address needs within the local community.  Unlike community service, service learning is explicitly linked to the curriculum, allowing students to make real-world applications within a meaningful and familiar context. The service-learning process takes students through the stages of Investigation, Preparation, Action, Reflection, Demonstration and Evaluation.

Service-learning benefits students by:

• Enhancing understanding of academic curriculum
• Providing diverse and practical “real-world” experiences
• Encouraging community involvement
• Fostering civic responsibility
• Raising awareness of social justice issues

Exemplary Project Coordinator: Ashley Snyder / ashley.snyder@apsva.us