Service and learning

Dr. Nabti and all:

I read with interest these comments regarding what i consider the primary
difference in the belief of the traditional volunteer community regarding
service-learning.  Many times I have heard from this sector, "Where there
is good service, there is always learning."  The missing component from the
example you describe that might make this good service is an identified
community need; I can imagine student concerts of many types that could
serve to enrich communities through the arts, even moreso if constructed
explicity out of examined need in collaborative community partnerships.  To
make this effective service-learning that is reciprocal, meeting the needs
of all, the youth involved would have to have participative opportunities
in the processes of identifying, deciding and choosing how these needs
might be met with youth as partners.