Learning By Doing Theory And Practice Of Service Learning In The U.S.

Service Learning is an opening style of learning, which is student-based and integrates academic study into volunteer service. Students apply knowledge in the real world and learn from reflecting of their own experience, and they will grow up to responsible and capable person in the process of caring for others and societies. Service learning rose in U.S. at the late of 1960s, and became a national movement of educational reform in 1990s. More and more studies have proved that service learning is an effective method not only for instruction but for civic education. At present, service learning is implementing in many countries and districts, such as America, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan and Hongkong. America has the most excellent system of service learning. In order to enrich the educational theory of our country and direct the curriculum reform of elementary education, this thesis analyses the development of service learning in America, from theory to practice, and its use for reference to China.This thesis includes five chapters. Chapter one, in historical perspective, introduces the background and status quo of service learning in America.Chapter two, in theoretic perspective, describes the connotation, characters, theoretic base and educational value of service learning.Chapter three, in practical perspective, explores the design principles, organization, implementation, and evaluation of service learning, and some questions should be paid attention.Chapter four selects three cases and details the operating process of service learning from different perspective, such as kindergarten, university and special education.Chapter five compares our comprehensive practical activities with service learning, analyses the use of service learning to comprehensive practical activities, and puts forward suggestion from three aspects: subject selection, evaluation and management.