Academic development of university students through service learning

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Service Learning at Universities aims at enhancing social and academic skills of students by transferring theoretical knowledge directly into social practice. The current project investigates if and why Service Learning might be more beneficial for students in terms of increased academic performance. The major assumption is that Service Learning is more beneficial for metacognition and knowledge than conventional lecturing since it includes direct links between theory and practice. Furthermore the reflexion of practice experiences in the light of theoretical models should enhance theoretical understandings.This hypothesis is tested through the comparison of students who attend with those who do not attend Service Learning courses over a period of two semesters. Both groups of students take courses which address the advancement of language and learning skills of children and adolescents. The major difference is that SL-students use their knowledge to help children with learning difficulties or children with migration background while non-SL-students don't partake in this kind of activities. The aim of the longitudinal study is to seek factors of SL which lead to a more successful learning process of students and develop a systematic guide for future SL-courses.