12 Service Learning

Service learning, by definition, is intentional learning with the goal of serving others and meeting the needs of the community. Service learning connects the material presented in the classroom with life outside of the classroom.

At Palomar College, we are proud of our service-learning component in the Child, Family and Community (CHDV 115) course. In that course, every student completes a minimum of 12 hours of service learning. Service learning is also incorporated at varying levels in several other CHDV courses. There are a multitude of sites for students to experience this learning and contribute to their communities. Each instructor and assignment have criteria the students will follow; however, all service learning utilizes the information found on the Palomar College Service-Learning web page.

Responses from Service-Learning Students:

• “The most important lesson learned is that even the smallest action can make a big difference!”
• “The most important thing I learned was if you reach out, you will get a response! For some reason, I always imagined my outreach going unanswered. But people will respond, share information, and accept your help… It’s much easier to become involved in your community than I ever thought! Because of my service learning, I am aware that I can influence my community!”
• “The most important lesson for me through the service-learning project was time! Time to heal, time to laugh, time to cry, time to open your eyes to learn the dance of life! Because of my service learning, I am healing! I thought I was going to go into the community and make it a better place but in fact, the community made me a better teacher. I think this is very important lesson.”
• “Because of my service learning I am more excited to make a change and more convinced a change can be made.”
• “The most important lesson I think that I did learn is do not be e so quick to judge, everyone does it something that happens naturally but thanks to this experience I don’t think I do it too often now. I love getting to know people and talking to them and finding out why they are where they are at in life. Life is hard and sometimes people don’t have support or love or a lot of different things and they fall in bad situations. My major is declared as Human Development since this experience I am hoping to find something that will help me also minor in human services. Because of my service learning, I am a completely different person. “
• “Because of my service-learning project I am a well-rounded and more understanding “individual.
• “Because of my service learning, I am more compassionate and empathetic. It has been truly enjoyable, and I feel like I have made some difference in a few lives. That is all we can hope for.”