Talking Point #5

" In The Service Of What? The Politics of Service Learning" by Joseph Kahne and Joel Westheimer


I think that this article is comparing what service learning is: the act of giving charity to the less fortunate for that moment, or the act of change which can be forever helpful.\



1.) "In contrast, much of the current discussion regarding service learning emphasizes charity. not change."

I think that this statement is false. im not going to get too into the discussion right now but i will say that the fact that people like to give charity more than change is disturbing to me and we most definitly need more people to help with change rather than charity. ill get more into this discussion in my ending comment


2.) "The ability of a service learning curriculum to foster authentic, experience-based learning opportunities, to motivate students, to help students engage in higher-order thinking in contextually varied environments, and to promote interdisciplinary studies has led some, such as John Brisco, a leader in the field, to label service learning "the Trojan horse of school reform.""

This quote is important because it shows that (what i think service learning was created for) change was the real purpose for service learning and that charity is helpful but change overall is what is wanted and needed

3.) "However, there are numerous ways in which a curriculum focused on giving provides opportunities tor students to develop caring relationships, especially when compared to a traditional academic curriculum."

This quote shows that people that help create change and do charity also recieve something in return, knowledge. it maybe something small but it is amazing what you can learn from another human being in one day compared to a textbook.


I think that the main thing that this world needs is change. Dr. Leslie Bogad said in class once " charity is like giving fish to a starving person while change is like teaching that person how to fish" Change is more permanent and more needed while charity, dont get me wrong its good and all, is just a "band-aid on a broken leg"