Service learning: applications in midwifery education.

Service learning is learning acquired through experiential education that deliberately links service to others with the goal of achieving specific academic objectives. Service learning is an educational innovation that encompasses a wide range of activities and pedagogies while maintaining a commitment to principles of service. Although midwifery is a profession rooted in service to women and their families, scant attention has been paid to the purposeful inclusion of service-learning experiences in midwifery curricula. This article describes service learning and discusses practical applications in midwifery education.