Ok, this chapter on service learning really summarized Pat's goals and our brain storming session today in class. Service Learning has been around for a long time; since the '60's and '70's, but it really took off in the '90's. This was the time I was getting my M.Ed. (1995). I remember learning about new, open, progressive, paradigms. I was able to use my classroom students as the basis for my thesis. I found this to be real and relevant to my teaching. Now, as I contemplate going for my doctorate I would like to combine my love for teaching ELLs to service-learning. I wonder if I would be able to write a doctorate using say the PREP program (Pinellas Refugee Education Program) which is funded through Pinellas County Schools to build upon my study of ELLs and their acquisition of a second language, and partner that with doing some good for an actual "real" program which could possibly benefit from my research, effort, and connection with the University of South Florida. What do you think? I learned a new term reading chapter 1; praxis . Service-Learning was based on the Stanford Model which originated in the '80's. I like the idea that when one does service-learning they are not meeting the needs in a community, rather they are addressing the needs in a community. We're not swooping in and solving all the world's ills and telling everyone what they should and should not be doing, we are learning by observing, researching and assessing how we can help the community meet its needs themselves. We're enablers not dictators. I'm going to check out the www.ncte.org/service, as this is always an area that is near and dear to me.