Question

Are there differences between service-learning and volunteering? If so, what are those differences?

Answer 1

Volunteering requires a commitment to serve others, but is not focused on specific educational outcomes for those who do the service, although educational benefits may accrue. Volunteering is not designed to be an academic experience. There is no opportunity for reflection.

Service-learning does not require prior coursework or skill development in order for students to participate in this pedagogy.

	SERVICE LEARNING	VOLUNTEERING
Education	Learning is the goal and classroom sessions are purposefully integrated.	Tangential and unintentional
Skill level	Requires skilled (or about-to-be-skilled) volunteers	Unskilled or skilled volunteers
Time commitment	Typically one semester to a full year	Any range of time
Career opportunities	It's a good launching point for a career in that field; you gain professional experience	It counts as professional experience
Community ties	Stronger focus on working with and learning about the local community	Less structure in place to be explicitly educated on the local community
Travel	Sometimes blended with travel	Sometimes blended with travel
Work	Voluntary; no compensation -- you may have to pay for the educational component	Voluntary; no compensation. Some programs charge participation fees.