Service-Learning Australia

Service-Learning and TTT are initiatives that have been proven to significantly contribute to students’ learning, improve long term education outcomes and benefit the community as a whole.   Good quality service-learning includes benefits for students, teachers, schools and communities.

Students:
• increase motivation to learn and engage with subjects
• increase ability to make decisions and solve problems
• improve academic knowledge and performance, including critical thinking and communication skills
• cultivate responsibility for self and others
• develop ability to work well with others
• replace stereotypes with respect for others
• become more knowledgeable about community resources available to them and their families
• experience social responsibility
• begin to develop a lifelong commitment to public service and learning.

Teachers:
• experience renewed enthusiasm for teaching
• improve communication and understanding among students
• learn more about the community in which their students live
• improve teacher-student and teacher-parent communication and understanding
• see increased relevancy of education for students
• provide additional role models for students
• learn about community organizations and how they serve the public
• identify resources to enhance educational opportunities for students
• bring the classroom and community together.

Schools:
• combine academic development with social responsibility
• strengthen career programs
• develop community partnerships
• publicise educational opportunities available for students
• involve more parents and other family members resulting in an increase in students’ sense of the value of school
• give students a sense of the practical importance of what they are learning
• develop a more inclusive, cooperative school climate and culture
• increase confidence in the school system
• improve public relations

Communities:
• view young people as valued resources able to address community problems and concerns
• lend expertise in a particular issue area
• become more knowledgeable about school programs and needs
• collaborate in planning service-learning projects
• participate in student learning
• publicly acknowledge the contributions of young people.