Talking Point 5

In the Service of what?
The Politics of Service Learning

Joseph Kahne & Joel Westheimer

Authors Arguement:
The authors are arguing that service learning is very important to be done, but that focus should be more represented in the democratic way rather than the individuals feelings on service learning.

Quotes:
1."almost all discussions of service learning practices emphasizes the importance of reflection."
I agree completely with this quote because even with our service learning when we discuss our VIPS in class I feel like I gain more from mine and other peoples experiences. I really think when you look back on the things you accomplish because the more you look back at the good experiences the more you learn and take from it.

2."Similarily many contemporary scholars focus on change over charity and argue that the lack of connection between individual rights and communal obligations within our culture has left us with a bankrupt sense of citizenship."
I think that service and service learnign should be really fro oneself and not to change the world. yes it is wonderful that people are getting together to save each other and help other people out but its a great for a personally experience to get you used to a field, or to make you feel better. Service learning shouldnt be just because people are forcing you to do good, it should be self motivated because you need to do it for yourself.

3." The importance of a meaningful reflective component becomes clearer when one considers the kind of deliberation and student empowerment that such a curriculm can foster"
Basically learn from your experiences. This is completely true. The fact of what your learning comes through more the more you reflect upon it.


Questions/Comments:
I think this is important because I reflect on service learning and I know that it helps me more to realize what I am doing when I think about my service learning. I think it's more important to realize how your serving others and why you are doing it because it makes it that much more fuller.