Adolescent Psychology

Adolescents Benefit From Service Learning

Service learning involves making the students participate in meaningful work within their community and environment (Santrock , 1990 . It is an activity where students get involved with their communities in a substantial way by incorporating service projects with classroom learning . It connects the students in the learning procedure using what they learned in their class to solve real situation problems . In service learning , students build their character and become active participants as they work with other people in school and their community

Adolescents can benefit from service

learning in many ways . One beneficial factor for participating in this activity would be developing of the morale of an individual . It is said that moral development entails learning to recognize what is right from wrong and improving the interpersonal and intrapersonal dimension . The interpersonal dimension encompasses one 's interaction with others , while the intrapersonal dimension covers the internal aspects of people , specifically their emotions . By interacting with others , it will be easy for the young ones to understand things that are happening in the society and settle disputes between individuals . On the other hand , by enhancing the intrapersonal dimension , they can gain self-confidence and learn to become more responsible (Santrock , 1990

Another advantage of participating in service learning is that it enables the youth to develop their sense of social responsibility and become a good citizen . Service learning can also enable them to think of possible solutions that they can contribute to the problem of the society in their own little way (Billig , 2002

Lastly , service learning can help students enhance their academic skills and knowledge . Most students become active and participative in school activities and curriculums . At the same time , service learning is also a good opportunity for adolescents to discover and know their interests in life as they grow old and mature . After they graduate , they will get exposed to the real world and society . Thus , service learning provides them with a chance to think what career they want to pursue in the future . By participating in service learning , students will gain career skills , knowledge , and interests in certain fields and activities that they will engage in (Billig , 1999

In conclusion , service learning is essential for every school to include in their curriculum because of the said benefits that students can gain by engaging in it . Students should be encouraged to participate and join not only for their own benefit but for the benefit of other people in the society as well

References

Santrock , J . W (1990 . Adolescence (12th edition . Dubuque , IA : William C . Brown

Billig , S . H (2002 , April 10 . The impacts of service-learning on youth , schools and

communities : Research on K-12 school-based service-learning , 1990-1999 W .K . Kellogg Foundation 's Learning In Deed Initiative .Retrieved October 2 , 2008 from

http /www .wkkf .org /default .aspx ?tabid 102 CID 13 CatID 13 ItemID 133682 NID 20 LanguageID 0

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