In my view, in one sense there is no difference at all. Internship,
service-learning, et al are all experiential learning programmes. The
problem with dogmatic fragmentation is that it tends to "disenable" people
who are coming in to this work and make them feel that these kinds of
debates are so esoteric as to be "fringe". This is counter productive when
what we are really trying to do is to show that experiential learning
programmes are not fringe activities, but at the heart of education, in
terms of how students learn; how students confront and respond to issues;
and how students develop.
Having stated that essential view, we need a language which helps us
differentiate processes. One has to be conscious - especially working
internationally - that professional language varies, not as between
countries, but often, as between institutions. My own "language", in terms
of delivery to the student, is that internships are subject oriented,
service-learning is a more general experience. This does not touch on the
debate about what is "genuine" service, or the essential elements contained
in a programme to make it valid.
So, an engineer might well complete an internship which is engineering
oriented. Or, he/she might opt for a service-learning programme where there
is no engineering. However, in this latter, if you send me an engineer -
I'll send you back a better engineer, although there is no engineering in
the programme - because of what happens in a service-learning experience,
and how this impacts on the student in many ways, including how he/she
approaches study.
A social work student, on a service-learning programme - is it SL or
internship? It matters not a jot - it's what is in the programme that is
essential!
Cheers,
Tony Evans
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Monhollen <smonhollen@culver.edu>
To: SERVICE LEARNING NETWORK <Service-Learning@csf.colorado.edu>
Date: 18 July 1998 10:13
Subject: Comparison Sought
>
>What is the difference between/among an internship, service-learning, a
>practicum, reflective observation at a social service agency as part of a
>course?
>
>In order to begin and develop a service-learning emphasis here, our
>committee needs to be able to articulate this comparison and make a case
for
>service-learning to the faculty. Can you recommend a reading or two that
>will help us do this?
>
>Thank you for your work. I look forward to hearing from you.
>
>Steve Monhollen
>Chaplain
>Culver-Stockton College
>One College Hill
>Canton, MO 63435
>217-231-6420
>217-231-6610 (FAX)
>smonhollen@culver.edu
>
>