Blog post #6 Argument- "In the Service of What?"

Kahne and Westheimer

‘In the Service of What?’

               These authors Kahne and Westheimer argue that is important to incorporate service learning in our current school curriculum, but there are two different opinions of how service learning is interoperated by students. One of these interoperations is the participant doesn’t gain anything from the service. After participating in the service the individual doesn’t change, learn anything, or realize the underlying reasons as to why they are there. The second interoperation is charity. This response to service learning by students is very positive. The student gains something from their experience, understands the underlying reasons as to why they are there, and both parties transform through service.

               To me the authors are arguing the importance of incorporating service learning into school curriculums the ‘right’ way.  A lot of the goals of service learning such as, promoting students’ self-esteem, developing higher-orders of thinking skills, making use of the students multiple abilities, and provides the student with an authentic learning experience are the same goals in our current curriculum reform efforts. Both pre and post education about the service learning experience the students will participate in will help contribute to a positive outcome. Teachers and school educators can help promote service learning activities though pointing out and emphasizing the various ideological, political, and social aspects of the goal of service learning. Both the public and others need to think about the overall final goals of service learning instead of just focusing on moving forward and getting more students involved in service learning.

               Service learning opportunities can have a lot of benefits if the reasoning and task is understood by the participant. If an individual feels forced or required to participate in service learning experiences are less likely to gain anything from the service. Teachers and other educators have the ability to have a positive influence on a student’s understanding of their service through pre and post education.