Talking Points #5

In The Service of What? The Politics of Service Learning. by: Kahne and Westheimer



In this reading, the authors talk about how service learning projects are very important in all different ways for kids in learning about something new, and at a different perspective. It also improves the community and invigorate the classroom, providing educational expiereinces for not only the students doing the service learning, but the students in the schools that are participating. i learned that Service Learning aims to respond to the community, while furthering the academic goals of the students which is interesting.

Quotes:

1.) "These service learning projects both stress the importance of compassion for those in need, and they encourage children and young adults to find ways to help."

I liked this quote because i believe that this is true. from my expierience i'm helping a little girl who has trouble counting money such as coins. She had trouble counting and knowing what certain coins are and how much they are. Since i've been helping her, the teacher already noticed progress in her work, which made me feel very good. and It also encourages students to help others in need of help. Being good role models for the younger students is a key in service learning, and it provides all sorts of learning expieriences.



2.)" The approach to service learning taken by Mr. Johnson stresses charity in ways in which participating in service and reflection can develope students sense of altruism."

I liked this approach by Mr. Johnson, he wants charity, no exactly change. he wants his students to act on their civic duty as a citizen to know that people are different and accept it. I also had to look up altruism because i didnt really know what that word ment. It means the principal or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion for the welfare of others. It really cleared my thought when i looked up this deffinition, because in service learning, students do develope a sense of altusim, in order to help them and make the project successful.



3.)"The expierimental and interpersonal components of service learning activities can achieve the first crucial step toward diminishing the sense of "otherness" that often separates students--particularly priviledged students--from those in need."

I believe this statement is true also. I feel i am one of those priviledged students, and this service learning has helped me feel more, i want to say feel comfortable, in my community as well as in the classrooms. The otherness often is shown when in the classroom, but with this class i don't see anything.

This reading was an okay one. Kind of got a little boring towards the end. The others really just broaden the importance of service learning in the community. It ends up helping a lot of people in the longrun. What I found extremely interesting, was that in some states, high schoolers neec 75 hours to graduate. I was very surprised at this, becuase my high school was never like that, and those are a lot of hours. I just thought that was very interesting.