A Study On Service Learning In American School Education

Service learning rose in U.S. at the late of 1960s, and became a national movement of education reform in 1990s. Service learning is a learning strategy, which enhances students'learning through integrating service experiences and learning content. More and more studies have proved that service learning is an effective method not only for instruction but for civic education. In order to enrich the educational theory of our country, this thesis analyses the development of service learning in America。This thesis includes seven chapters. Chapter one, introduces the reason, the research situation, the research framework and the research methods of this thesis.Chapter two discusses the concept of service learning, the difference and relationship between service learning and other terms, the difference between service learning and other courses, the history of service learning.Chapter three introduces the purpose and principles of service learning, service learning and social justice, service learning and community partnership.Chapter four analyses the theoretical bases of service-learning in America from four perspectives of pedagogy, psychology, sociology and philosophy.Chapter five explains how to establish and implement service learning program. How to judge whether your school or district appropriate for service learning program, the organization and implementation of service learning program, the evaluation of service learning program.Chapter six introduces strategies for student outcomes measurement, includes criterion-referenced strategies for measuring academic and problem-solving outcome indicators, observational strategies for measuring service outcome indicators, and self-report strategies for measuring personal growth indicators.Chapter seven generalizes the effect of service learning and major problems faced.