Research And Enlightenment On The Service Learning Of American Primary And Middle School

Originated from the United States, service-learning is an education of experience which value both learning and service. The features of service-leaning cover almost all personal and social aspects, including improve student's academic intelligence,critical ability and self concept,the school atmosphere and the relationship between schools and communities. With Dewey's discussion on experience education, service-learning was formally proposed in the 1960s and boomed in the 70's in a number of campuses, now widely used in primary and secondary schools in the United States. This can be used for reference to Chinese basic education reform and the integrative practical activity curriculum.The thesis is divided into four parts. The first part briefly introduces the related researches on the topic of service learning written by domestic and American scholars, and then defines related concepts.The second part first overview the basic meaning and characteristics of service learning, review the historical evolution of service learning, and interpret the relevant policy, finally sort out the ideological foundation of service learning. This study suggests that, the. U.S. Service Learning's definition includes three elements: service closely combines with the learning,provide true help to others,students make self development from self-reflection. A typical service learning projects should meet the real needs of the community, students involved in the process of service learning as a leader, service learning should related to the academic subject, students have enough time to reflect, schools and communities establish a good collaborated working relationship.The third part introduces the status of the U.S. primary and secondary school implement service learning from the practice level. Introducing the impact of service learning to students, schools and teachers, and communities, the classification of service learning activities, focuses on the implementation of operational and quality standards of service-learning, using a classic case to illustrate the specific steps to implement service learning. This study suggests that in the specific implementation process of service learning, we should pay particular attention to the application of reflection.The forth part analysis the situation of service learning carried out by the United States primary and secondary school, attempting to summarize the success factors of U.S. service learning, in that case we can learn from the meaningful experience for Chinese basic education reform and the integrative practical activity curriculum.