12. Engaging Students in the Community as Part of Classroom Learning and for Future Benefits

Abstract

This paper shares the survey results of students’ perceptions of the benefits of their experiences with service learning. The service learning experiences were related to children and their physical growth and development and/or to children and their health education. An open-ended questionnaire was sent to 376 graduated students (representing 11 courses over six years) to gather their thoughts regarding the benefits of their service learning experiences several years after completion. Responses were overwhelmingly positive with the most prevalent themes relevant to educational and career goals: “confirmation of future goals,” “practical skill development,” and “enhance my resume and/or application to a particular field of study/occupation.” Given these findings, service learning should be included in post-secondary education not only for the practical experiences that link theory with reality, but also for the potential benefits to students’ future career and education.