Read Me First

What is Service Learning?
To serve means to meet an authentic need.  Service learning is the process of connecting learning with action (meeting the need).  Not only do students collect canned food for a local food bank, they spend time understanding poverty, hunger, and the reason a food bank is located in their city.  Service learning connects classroom content, literature and skills to local, national and global needs.  The intentional weaving of learning objectives into the experience is what sets it apart for simply volunteer work.   Too often we, as educators miss prime opportunities to help our students grow in the image of their Creator.  We go through the motions, doing what we think we should when it comes to "serving", but all we are doing is "collecting cans" instead of making a real difference; a difference that begins with the heart.


For JOT we have identify two types of service learning opportunities:  direct and indirect.  Direct service involves face-to-face time with those in need, such as raking leaves for a senior citizen or tutoring a young child.   Students participating in indirect service do not see the recipients even though their efforts do benefit the community in need.   Students collecting coats and blankets for a homeless shelter will not meet those receiving the items, but their efforts certainly help a group of individuals in need.


I love this quote, "A well-designed service learning experience affords ample opportunities for students to consider their own ideas and those of others, think critically about what occurs, anticipate possible outcomes, adjust plans, articulate their intentions in both written and verbal forms, and assess the outcomes of their endeavors - all essential leadership skills." [Cathryn Berger Kaye, MA]   So not only do students engaged in service learning opportunities learn to serve, they learn to lead.  


There are four main steps to a successful service learning experience:

1. Explore
   What resources can you (your students and/or children) bring to this experience?
   What is the need you have identified?  Is it a local, national, or global need?  Does it involve an indirect or direct response?
2. Organize
   Assess the resources available along with the skills/understanding to be learned and create a timeline of learning.
3. Serve
   Solid planning and preparation leads to the ability to carry out a plan of action; a successful service project.
4. Evaluate
   Since service learning involves growing and learning from our successes and mistakes, this step is as important as the planning and executing of the service project.

We will be providing ideas and suggestions of service opportunities through our JOT Blog.  We will also be collecting and sharing specific service learning opportunities to go along with the service projects.   Sign-up to follow us and may God richly bless your efforts to encourage students to serve those in need by giving Just One Touch.  It is our prayer that students' lives are changed through the act of serving.
                                                                                                          Deni Corbett