COMMUNITY-SERVICE - PANACEA, PARADOX, OR POTENTIATION

The use of student community service activities to attain diverse lear ning goals is becoming commonplace on American college campuses. In th is article, a sampling of student learning outcomes of such activities , and their limitations, is explored. Data and conclusions were derive d from structured interviews and participant observation with 108 grad uate and undergraduate students who volunteered in service activities. The educative power of community service is discussed and critiqued. The authors provide suggestions for conceptualizing and constructing s ervice experiences.