Research On Service-learning In Middle School: Theory And Practice

Service-learning has a long history in American. It appears in the beginning of 20 centrery and rises rapidly in 1990's. Coming from volunteer service and community service, service-learning ties up with American social tradition and education revolution. Nowadays people try to integrate it into school curriculum so that it relate to the movement of education reform. Also service-learning can be regarded as the belief of demorical society so that it is considered to be an effective way to civil education. Actually service-learning is a pedagogical approach for teachers. It enables students to learn and develop through active participation in thoughtfully organized service experiences that meet actual community needs. Service-learning has a two-fold focus: learning for the student and service to the community.As interest service-learning research multiples there is a concomitant need for a theoretical base for service-learning. In the second chapter, the author review aspects of John Dewey educational philosophy that they identify as relevant to the development of a theory of service-learning including "learning form experience", "reflective activity", "citizenship", "community", and "democracy". And Kolb's Experiential learning develop the theory of service-learning much more. Besides philosophical foundation, Communitarianism, Humanism and psychology connect to the theory of service-learningChapter 3 to 5 constitute the second part of this thesis with focus on how to practice service-learning in school education. For its integration into curriculum, service-learning is becoming more and more popular in international education. Service-learning can be categorized into different models in practice. But they all consist of 4 elements including preparation, service, reflection and celebration.In Chapter 4 the author discusses the values and foundation of service-learning in China. According the development of society and the new curriculum reform, the author try to create a framework to service-learning in middle school. Finally a case of service-learning in china is given in Chapter 5 to make clear the development and implement of a school-based curriculum...