Service-Learning in Teacher Education: Building Learning Communities.(combination of community...

Many educators use service-learning--a pedagogical strategy that combines authentic community service with integrated academic learning--to strengthen teacher education and enhance community life. Service-learning offers students opportunities to gain new skills, apply knowledge in challenging situations, and contribute to the lives of others in meaningful ways. It also helps education students acquire a sense of purpose, especially the belief that they can make a difference in the community.

That sense of being a "difference maker" is particularly important for teache