service learning

Definition

An educational approach combining classroom instruction with community service, theoretically benefiting both students and the community. In practice, it ranges from transformative civic engagement to voluntourism with academic credit.

Example Usage

Her sociology class includes a service learning component where students tutor at local schools while studying educational inequality.

Origin

Formalized as a term in the 1960s-1970s during the rise of experiential education movements

Fun Fact

Cynics note that service learning sometimes amounts to universities getting free labor for community projects while charging students full tuition to provide it.

Source: Experiential education and civic engagement

Related Terms

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🎓 Education / Academia

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