The Relationship between Service Learning and Deep Learning

Abstract

This research investigated the relationship between college students’ participation in service learning courses and their reported use of deep learning skills. An analysis of 2012 National Survey of Student Engagement data for freshmen and seniors at Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis found that reported deep learning skills of higher order learning, integrative learning, and reflective learning were all higher for both freshmen and seniors who participated in service learning courses, with integrative learning skills having the greatest gain. These results contribute evidence that service learning should be valued to the extent that it contributes to student learning at the course level as well as at the institutional level and provide a rationale for institutions to support faculty who engage with the community partners to develop service learning courses.