ABSTRACT

The Principles of Good Practice for Combining Service and Learning, commonly known as the Wingspread principles, have served as indispensable guides to the design of service-learning initiatives since the 1990s. Critical reflection is the process of analyzing, reconsidering, and questioning one's experiences within a broad context of issues and content knowledge. One of the most perplexing things about service-learning for individuals new to the work is how to initiate a community partnership. Although it may seem obvious, it is important to state clearly that service-learning educators and students should take making a commitment to a community organization seriously. It is important to take time to recognize and celebrate successes, large and small, along the way as well as at the end of the course or program. Student participants in co-curricular service-learning can also show gains in complex thinking, ethical development and moral reasoning, and clarity about their faith and spirituality.