Service-Learning Australia

Service-learning is a way of teaching the curriculum and meeting syllabus outcomes: it is Quality Teaching and Values Education in action.  Service-learning does create some extra work, but practitioners certainly believe it is worth the effort.

In implementing service-learning programs, it is important for teachers to at least feel understood by other staff members (particularly the Principal), even if the school is not initially committed to this pedagogy.  Remember that there will always be those who resist change, and those who believe that service-learning is an unnecessary approach to teaching and learning.  Also keep in mind that what works well in one school or class may not work in another.  However, there is nothing like a positive experience to convince people of the value of a new initiative.  Start off with a small project that is meaningful for your students and the community they are serving (initially this might be the school community.)  Ensure that it clearly satisfies some of the curriculum outcomes.  Plan it thoroughly.  Publicise the project's success, and you will start to convert those who were initially skeptical.

Before beginning to plan a program, it is sensible to think through a number of potential difficulties and identify possible solutions.