Reflection
Joseph Kahne and Joel Westheimer's "In The Service Of What? The Politics of Service Learning"describes two different types of service learning projects. The first one is more about charity and the other focuses on change. What the authors are trying to tell us is that there are two ways to help the people in need. The first service learning project got students working with those in need. The students directly helped the less fortunate, but never discussed or focused on the problems that got those people to where they are. In the second case, the students did talk about the issues and then work with the people who needed help. They also worked, throughout the year, in the classroom writing papers and relating topics to their service learning.
My church has a youth ministry group where students who are very involved in the church can go and be active in the church and the community. During Holy Week, these students, every year, fast for twenty-four hours and sleep on the church floor. They are trying to recognize what it is like for those on the streets without the full severity of it. At the same time, they are respecting the religion. The next day, these students go into Boston and work in the soup kitchen to help the people who cannot afford to support themselves. During the Easter Vigil, the students come into the mass and tell the congregation about their experiences.
I believe that this type of service learning is similar to the second case that Kahne and Westheimer describe in their article. The students get to feel a little what it is like to have almost nothing and then they go into the city to see what it actually is like. They take a lot out of their experiences and share them with the rest of the congregation, hoping that they will help those in need in their lifetime. This article explains the benefits of service learning amongst youth. It also gives information to those who are looking for service learning opportunities for more than just the young people. They have opportunities for parents and teachers, also.
Service learning, no matter what type, is beneficial for everyone. Some may take more out of it than others, but they still have the opportunity to help those in need. I am not sure what the authors' take is on this subject. Is one option better than another? How do YOU look at it?
Hey Amanda I hope you don't mind but I used your blog for my extended comments blog!
ReplyDeletepowerful example from your church... but say more about how that is CHANGE and not charity? What makes it a change-oriented project, in Kahne and Westheimer's sense?
ReplyDeleteI really liked your post and also used it as my extended comments blog. The thing that i liked the most was when you said, "Service learning, no matter what type, is beneficial for everyone". I actually quoted this in my blog because i liked it so much.
ReplyDeleteSeems like this is a popular post.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Luke, that sentence is great.
Personally, I'm not sure that telling the congregation about it helps qualify it as change. To me, that's just spreading the word. It's not doing something to change the situation. I still think it's admirable though.
Going off what Nick said: I think telling the congregation is part of making change. (And since it's a church the goals and the resources are probably a little different from what a school would have.) Raising awareness is important too. But creating change is hard. I think actually making some meaningful change is the hardest part of Kahne's and Westheimer's "recipe" for a good service project. It's not as hard to raise awareness among participants about problems in society, but how can students meaningfully change these overwhelming problems? I think (realistically) the biggest impact will be on the students themselves, not on the problem they are trying to confront.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Luke I think the strongest point in your blog was definitely the statement "Service learning no matter what type is beneficial for everyone". It's also very inspiring to see commercials on nbc or cbs where celebrities speak about making a difference in the community and it shows me that they care about others and not just about their own fame.
ReplyDeleteI had to come read this and see what all they hype was about especially after we discussed it in class! I think it's really awesome what your Church has been doing and I completely agree with your last statement about how service learning is good no matter what type it is you're doing. You're helping someone in someway that no other person would be willing to do and I think thats what matters!!
ReplyDeleteI believe that Service Learning is beneficial for everyone, that is a very strong quote... But its very true, it will help someone look into someone else's situation even if its just for a short period of time - like your church does!
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