Talk Point # 5 Kahne & Westheimer

1.)"With the current interest in and allocation of resources to service learning comes a growing need to clarify the ideological perspectives that underlie service learning programs."

I picked this quote, because it raises the question of what service learning actually is. It shows that there is an interest by people to perform service learning, but people first need to find out what the ideals of it are. It is done for a reason and before people can begin they must learn why they are actually doing it.

2.)"These curriculum theorists and education reformers wanted students to engage in service learning projects so that they would recognize that their academic abilities and collective commitments could help them respond in meaningful ways to a variety of social concerns."

I agree with this quote. Through the field of education and through the classroom, students can help those who are in great need. I know that through all my my education through grades K through 12 my schools were always doing things to help those in needs and students could participate. In my high school there was even a class based on service learning. I think it was very important for the students and helped them to have a commitment to someone who depended on their help.

3.)"In doing so, we create opportunities for changing our understanding of the other and the context within which he or she lives."

People are quick to judge others. If we help others we will get a chance to see how they really live and what they go through on a daily basis. When we see a person we automatically form an opinion of them, but in reality we have no idea what kind of life they live or what they are going through. By helping others, we can help
ourselves to be less judgmental and give everyone the chance they deserve.

I enjoyed this reading. I thought it gave a new perspective on the classroom and discussed something I think is important for people. Service learning is something that is not done everywhere, but I think it is important for it to be integrated.