"We consider service-learning to be a course-based, credit-bearing educational experience in which students

a) participate in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs and
b) reflect on the service activity in such a way as to gain further understanding of the course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility." (Bringle and Hatcher, 1995)"

The hyphen in service-learning is important in the definition because the hyphen represents the dynamic relationship between service and learning." (Jacoby, 1996)