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Service Learning in Special Education
As an experienced teacher who works with diverse learners, I value the teaching methodologies that provide the connections between life and academics which benefit so many students. After seven years of teaching special needs learners, I have not found another teaching tool that so strongly connects the classroom to the real world and engages students in the way service learning does. This powerful educational strategy not only shrinks the gap between school and community, it also helps to create a positive culture within the school itself. This teaching method fits the needs of multiple learning styles thus providing access to education for many of our untraditional learners.
Service Learning as a Methodology
Service learning is more than just community service. The service is as closely linked to the curriculum as possible, with an emphasis on students applying the skills they are learning. Anderson (1998) stated, "Service learning involves a blending of service activities with the academic curriculum in order to address real community needs while students learn through active engagement (p. 1)." It connects student service with traditional classroom instruction, learning and reflection.Impacts of Service-Learning on Education
Young adults' active connection to their communities has decreased in the past two decades. Service learning is a way to connect students to their learning, engage them in civic opportunities and benefit the communities where these students attend school. Moon (1994) stated "the solution to at least some of the enduring educational problems may be found in the intersection of K-12 education reform, teacher training reform and service learning (p. 115)." Service learning is a teaching methodology that benefits students, teachers and the community concurrently. Service learning allows teachers and students to connect with and benefit their surrounding communities while integrating this learning back into their curriculum.The real world becomes the classroom in which students and community can actively engage together. This process can transform students from passive to active learners and help them to become responsible community members (Brandell & Hinck, 1997). The students' experiences become visible outcomes and powerful reminders of the impact they can have on their community (Brookins-King, 2001; Hope, 1997). The connection to community can also be used to better prepare students for post-graduation work. Verducci and Pope stated, "In an effort to better prepare P-12 students for the world of work and to make classroom learning more relevant and engaging, educators use service learning strategies to make direct connections between concepts taught in the classroom and real life applications (2001, p. 9)."
Service learning and Diverse Needs Learners
One of my continual goals as a special education teacher is to try and "hook" my students into learning. Most of my students have found little, if any, success in academics and are often disenfranchised with school. The active learning that service learning supplies, allows students to shine in non-academic settings. They are often using the skills learned in the classroom, but can actually see the application to the world outside of school. The students I serve have many talents, but often they are not academically based. Service learning projects let students utilize whatever strengths they have.I worked one year with a student who struggled in every class and never seemed to really like school. I took the class to the food bank as part of our unit on social situations in which we were studying poverty. At the food bank this student came alive. He was counting out yogurts and could tell me how many would fit in the box and multiply that number by the number of boxes so he knew how many yogurts had been packed. All of the sudden, he was successfully using the math skills that he had been struggling with in the classroom. He even asked if we could come to the food bank every month and work. These are the days when teaching is so rewarding.
Service learning and the Special Education Teacher
All special education teachers will testify that special education is a tough job that can be very lonely. Service learning is a great tool to partner teachers with each other in the school and with people in the community. Prentice and Garcia (2000) stated that there are three primary incentives for teachers to use this process:
- It provides one more tool to meet the objectives of the course.
- It can enrich and enliven teaching by connecting the community to the curriculum.
- It serves as a vehicle for teaching that addresses both perceptual and cognitive learning styles, thus engaging a higher majority of learners.
Initially service learning can be a challenge to set up. It takes time to establish projects and partner with the community. Once established, the projects seem to run themselves and the rewards are well worth the effort. It leaves me feeling rejuvenated to see the benefits my students gain. There are many websites and books available to assist you with integrating service learning into your own classroom.
References
Anderson, J. (1998). Service learning and teacher education. (Report No. ED421481). Washington, D.C.: ERIC Clearinghouse on Teaching and Teacher Education.
Brandell, M. E., & Hinck, S. (1997). Service learning: connecting citizenship with the classroom. NASSP Bulletin. 81(591).
Brookins-King, J. D. (2001). An assessment of superintendents' perceptions toward implementation of service learning in Iowa public schools. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, Iowa State University, Iowa.
Moon, A. (1994). Teaching excellence: the role of service learning. Michigan Journal of Community Service-Learning,1(1), 115-120.
Prentice, M., & Garcia, R. M. (2000). Service-learning: The next generation in education. In Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 19-26.
Yoder, D. I., Retish, E., & Wade, R. (1996). Service learning: Meeting student and community needs. The Council for Exceptional Children. Summer. P. 12-17.
Lori Lynass has taught special education for the past eight years. She is currently employed in the Edmonds School District in Lynnwood, Washington. Lori is also in her last year of doctoral studies at Seattle University. Her dissertation is focused on service-learning and teacher preparation. phun4me@hotmail.com
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