The community as a resource for learning

Andrew Furco’s chapter reviews “academic service learning”: i.e. experiential learning that takes place in the community as an integral part of the curriculum. These approaches are arousing substantial international interest and embrace pedagogies of engagement pedagogies of empowerment national service programmes values education initiatives citizenship education programmes and community resource programmes. They lie between community service and volunteer work, at the service end of the spectrum, and field education and internships, at the learning end. Different forms of service learning are of value in themselves as good education. They also positively influence cognitive achievements in ways discussed in other chapters of this volume, such as by giving opportunities for authentic learning, engaging students actively, fostering co-operation and collaboration, meeting individual interests, empowering learners and extending horizons beyond comfort zones. However, the evidence base on associated outcomes and on what works best and why reveals some emerging, positive findings but remains seriously under-developed.

The Nature of Learning: Using Research to Inspire Practice

The community as a resource for learning

an analysis of academic service-learning in primary and secondary education