Embracing Service Learning Opportunities: Student Perceptions of Service Learning as an Aid to Effectively Learn Course Material

Abstract

Educators are aware of the benefits of service learning such as retention or application of course concepts. Students enrolled in courses with a service learning assignment may not be aware of the benefits or may not see the assignment as beneficiary. This study examined student perceptions of service learning to determine if students’ perceptions matched educator perceptions in the literature. Overall, students make the connection between the assignment and course material. Results and themes are discussed.

Keywords

• Service learning
• experiential learning
• student perceptions
• communication