The effectiveness of ideological and political education in universities from the perspective of volunteer services

: Against the backdrop of globalization, China has attached increasing importance to efficient ideological and political education. In order to ensure that university students maintain the correct outlook on life, values, and the world despite the influence of the broader environment, this paper focuses on the effectiveness of ideological and political education in universities from the perspective of volunteer services. The aim is to explore the impact of volunteer services on the effectiveness of ideological and political education in universities and propose feasible measures to enhance effectiveness. By thoroughly analyzing the role and significance of volunteer services, as well as their influence on students' sense of social responsibility and critical thinking ability, this paper argues that volunteer services play a crucial role in ideological and political education in universities.


Introduction
Ideological and political education in universities is an important means to cultivate students' correct worldview, outlook on life, and values, and the effectiveness of such education is a key criterion for evaluating its outcomes.In the current social context, volunteer services, as a socially valuable practical activity, have been widely applied in higher education institutions.This paper aims to explore the effectiveness of volunteer services in ideological and political education in universities and propose relevant feasible measures from the perspective of volunteer services.

The Value Shaping of Ideological and Political Education through Volunteer Services
Volunteer services provide students with practical opportunities to experience social issues and challenges firsthand.By participating in volunteer service activities, students can directly engage with the diversity of society and gain a deeper understanding of social realities, thereby enhancing their awareness of social issues.This practical experience helps students develop correct values, cultivate moral awareness, and foster a sense of social responsibility [1].For example, when students participate in volunteer teaching activities, they encounter the reality of educational inequality and witness the hardships and desire for knowledge among students in impoverished areas.Such experiences enable students to develop a value system that emphasizes educational fairness and recognize the importance of education.They become aware of their responsibility to contribute to improving the educational conditions and promoting educational equity.Similarly, when students engage in environmental volunteer activities, they witness the impact of environmental pollution, become aware of the importance of environmental protection, and develop a value system that cherishes the environment and safeguards ecosystems.

Cultivating Students' Sense of Social Responsibility through Volunteer Services
Volunteer services can inspire students' sense of social responsibility and make them realize their roles and obligations as members of society.Through participation in volunteer services, students become aware of the inequalities and challenges present in society and take proactive action to improve society.Volunteer services cultivate students' qualities of caring for others and willingness to help, making them responsible citizens with a sense of social responsibility.For example, when students engage in community volunteer services and provide care and assistance to elderly community members, such experiences enhance students' concern for disadvantaged groups and stimulate their willingness to help others.

Opportunities for Active Social Engagement through Practical Experience
Volunteer services provide students with opportunities for active social engagement.Through practical action, students can integrate the theoretical knowledge gained from ideological and political education with real-life experiences, translating their thoughts into concrete actions.For instance, when students participate in volunteer service projects related to educational support, they can apply educational theories learned in the classroom to practical situations, helping students in impoverished areas improve their academic performance and promoting educational equity.

Broadening the Practical Scope of Ideological and Political Education
Volunteer services expand the practical scope of ideological and political education.Traditional ideological and political education primarily relies on classroom teaching, while volunteer services offer a broader platform for practical experiences.Students can engage in various types of volunteer activities, involving community development, environmental conservation, charitable initiatives, and more.These diverse practical domains enable students to gain comprehensive understanding of various aspects of society, fostering diverse thinking and holistic competence.Through interactions and collaborations with different groups, students broaden their perspectives, increase sensitivity and insight into social issues.For example, when students participate in volunteer services at welfare institutions for children, they interact with underprivileged children, understand their needs and challenges, and develop qualities of empathy and care for others [2].

Promoting Students' Critical Thinking and Reflective Abilities
Volunteer services can stimulate students' critical thinking and reflective abilities.During volunteer services, students need to actively reflect on issues, seek solutions, and continually reflect and adjust in practice.This process of critical thinking and reflection cultivates students' abilities for independent thinking and problem-solving.For instance, when students engage in social welfare projects, they face various challenges and difficulties, requiring them to apply critical thinking to analyze the root causes of problems and propose feasible solutions.

Stimulating Innovative Thinking and Practical Skills
Expanding the practical scope of ideological and political education can stimulate students' innovative thinking and practical skills.Volunteer services provide a practical platform for students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-life contexts.Through participation in activities such as social research and organizing public welfare events, students can explore innovative approaches and methods to address practical problems.For example, students participating in volunteer services organized by environmental organizations can contribute to solving local environmental issues through activities such as environmental awareness campaigns and sustainable development projects.
In conclusion, volunteer services play a crucial role in the effectiveness of ideological and political education in universities.Through volunteer services, students can shape correct values, cultivate social responsibility, broaden practical domains, and promote critical thinking abilities.To enhance the effectiveness of ideological and political education in universities, it is advisable to establish a sound volunteer service system, carry out diverse volunteer service projects, strengthen the integration of volunteer services with academic disciplines.These measures can inspire students' active participation and enthusiasm for learning, thereby improving the quality and effectiveness of ideological and political education [3].

Establishing a Comprehensive Volunteer Service System
Universities should establish a robust volunteer service system, which includes volunteer recruitment, training, management, and evaluation.This involves setting up dedicated volunteer service organizations or departments responsible for coordinating and organizing volunteer service activities, providing necessary training and guidance.Additionally, creating an information platform for volunteer services is essential to facilitate students' understanding and participation in various volunteer projects.For example, universities can establish specialized Volunteer Service Centers or departments that are responsible for organizing and managing volunteer service activities.They can develop clear volunteer recruitment criteria and procedures to ensure that volunteers' qualifications and abilities align with the service needs.Moreover, offering systematic training courses to help volunteers acquire essential skills and knowledge is crucial to enhance the quality and effectiveness of their service.It is also important to establish a well-functioning volunteer management system, including attendance tracking, reward mechanisms, etc., to ensure the efficient operation of volunteer services.Regular evaluation and feedback on volunteer services should be conducted, collecting opinions from students and beneficiaries, to continuously improve and optimize the volunteer service system [4].

Implementing Diverse Volunteer Service Projects
Universities should encourage the implementation of diverse volunteer service projects to meet students' interests and needs.In addition to traditional community service and environmental protection activities, innovative volunteer service projects that combine technology innovation with social development or cultural exchange with educational support, among others, can be introduced.Through diverse volunteer service projects, students' enthusiasm and participation can be stimulated, thereby enhancing their practical experiences and learning outcomes in ideological and political education [5].

Strengthening the Integration of Volunteer Services with Academic Disciplines
Universities can actively promote the integration of volunteer services with academic teaching.By incorporating volunteer services into relevant discipline courses, the theoretical knowledge can be combined with practical experiences, deepening students' understanding and application abilities in ideological and political education.For instance, introducing case studies and discussions on volunteer services in sociology courses enables students to understand the impact of volunteer services on social change and problem-solving through practical examples.Additionally, inviting experts or professionals from related fields to deliver lectures and provide guidance can contribute professional knowledge and practical experience, further promoting the integration of volunteer services with academic disciplines.Furthermore, universities can facilitate interdisciplinary cooperation and exchange among student volunteer teams, allowing students from different majors to jointly participate in solving social issues.For example, forming teams composed of students from sociology, psychology, law, and other disciplines to engage in activities that encompass social research and promote critical thinking.To enhance the effectiveness of ideological and political education in universities, the following measures can be adopted.

Establishing a Comprehensive Volunteer Service System
To enhance the effectiveness of ideological and political education in universities, it is necessary for universities to establish dedicated volunteer service organizations responsible for volunteer recruitment, training, management, and evaluation.Establishing a comprehensive volunteer service system allows for effective organization and management of volunteer service activities, ensuring that volunteers' qualities and abilities align with the service demands, thus improving the quality and effectiveness of the service.Firstly, universities' volunteer service organizations should actively engage in volunteer recruitment.They can utilize various channels such as campus and external promotion, school websites, and social media to attract more students to participate in volunteer activities.Additionally, they can establish collaborations with social organizations and non-profit institutions to expand the sources of volunteer recruitment, providing more diverse volunteer service opportunities.Secondly, volunteer service organizations should provide comprehensive training for volunteers.The training can cover topics such as social work theories, communication skills, project management, etc., to enhance volunteers' professional competence and service abilities.Training can be conducted through online learning platforms, seminars, practical guidance, etc., ensuring that volunteers possess the necessary knowledge and skills for their service.Next, universities' volunteer service organizations need to establish effective volunteer management mechanisms.They can develop volunteer management regulations that clearly define volunteers' rights, responsibilities, and behavioral guidelines, ensuring that volunteers' actions align with social ethics and legal regulations.Moreover, they can establish volunteer records to track volunteers' participation and growth trajectory, providing support for their personal development and employment.Lastly, volunteer service organizations should conduct regular evaluations of the effectiveness and impact of volunteer services.Feedback from volunteers and beneficiaries can be collected through questionnaires, interviews, and other methods to understand the strengths and weaknesses of volunteer services, enabling timely adjustments and improvements.Evaluation results can provide targeted directions for improvement, enhancing the efficiency and social impact of volunteer services.By establishing a comprehensive volunteer service system, universities can better organize and manage volunteer service activities, ensuring that volunteers' qualities and abilities match the service demands.This will enhance the quality and effectiveness of volunteer services [6].

Implementing Diverse Volunteer Service Projects
Universities should provide diverse volunteer service projects to meet students' interests and needs.In addition to traditional community service and environmental protection activities, volunteer service projects that combine fields such as technological innovation, cultural exchange, and educational support can be introduced.Such diverse projects can stimulate students' enthusiasm and participation, increasing their practical experiences and learning outcomes in ideological and political education.

Strengthening the Integration of Volunteer Services with Academic Disciplines
Universities should actively promote the integration of volunteer services with academic teaching by incorporating volunteer services into relevant discipline courses.By combining theoretical knowledge with practical experiences, students' understanding and application abilities in ideological and political education can be deepened.For example, introducing case studies and discussions on volunteer services in sociology courses allows students to understand the impact of volunteer services on social change and problem-solving through practical examples.Additionally, inviting experts or professionals from related fields to deliver lectures and provide guidance can contribute professional knowledge and practical experience, further promoting the integration of volunteer services with academic disciplines.Furthermore, universities can encourage interdisciplinary cooperation and exchange among student volunteer teams, enabling students from different majors to jointly participate in solving social issues.For example, forming teams composed of students majoring in sociology, psychology, law, etc., to engage in activities such as social research and policy advocacy, providing comprehensive support for addressing social problems.
By implementing the above measures, universities can enhance the effectiveness of ideological and political education.Volunteer services can provide students with practical opportunities, shape their correct values, and cultivate their sense of social responsibility.At the same time, volunteer services have a positive impact on the effectiveness of ideological and political education in universities.

Importance
The effectiveness of ideological and political education in universities from the perspective of volunteer services holds significant significance.Firstly, volunteer services provide practical opportunities for students, enabling them to gain a better understanding of social realities and issues while cultivating their sense of social responsibility.Through participating in volunteer service activities, students can experience the diversity and challenges of society firsthand, broaden their perspectives, deepen their awareness of social problems, and foster correct values and worldviews.Secondly, volunteer service projects expand the practical domain of ideological and political education, allowing students to explore and apply their knowledge and theories in practice, thereby enhancing the targetedness and effectiveness of ideological and political education.

Future Development Direction
To further enhance the effectiveness of ideological and political education in universities from the perspective of volunteer services, the following measures should be taken.Firstly, establish a comprehensive volunteer service system by developing clear mechanisms for volunteer recruitment and management, establishing a volunteer training and evaluation system, and ensuring the quality and effectiveness of volunteer services [7].Secondly, implement diverse volunteer service projects tailored to different ideological and political education objectives and student needs, designing and organizing a wide range of volunteer service activities to meet students' practical needs and educational goals.Lastly, universities should strengthen the integration of volunteer service and disciplines, incorporating volunteer services into academic teaching to promote the organic fusion of disciplinary knowledge and ideological and political education, thereby enhancing the academic nature and effectiveness of ideological and political education.

Strengthening the Role of the Government
Furthermore, to further enhance the effectiveness of ideological and political education in universities, the concept of social participation and volunteer services should be actively advocated, creating an atmosphere of social attention and support for volunteer services in universities.Governments, social organizations, and universities should strengthen their cooperation to jointly promote the application and development of volunteer services in ideological and political education at universities.The government can establish relevant policies, provide necessary support and resources, and encourage universities to carry out volunteer service projects.Social organizations can offer professional guidance and training to help universities standardize volunteer service activities and improve service quality and effectiveness.Universities, in turn, should strengthen their collaboration with social organizations and businesses, engage in off-campus practical activities, and expand students' practical fields and opportunities.

Integration with Information Technology
In the future, ideological and political education in universities should constantly innovate, improve, and keep up with the times.By utilizing information technology, an online volunteer service platform can be developed to provide more service opportunities and resources, facilitating students' participation in volunteer activities.The construction of an online volunteer service platform will provide students with convenient ways to engage.Through the platform, students can access information about various volunteer projects and choose areas and projects that interest them.The platform can also offer online training and guidance to help students enhance their service skills and professional knowledge.Additionally, students can communicate and share experiences with other volunteers through the platform, forming a learning and growth community.The application of information technology significantly broadens the channels and methods of student participation in volunteer services, thereby increasing participation and effectiveness.
Moreover, ideological and political education can be integrated with other disciplines to promote students' comprehensive development and overall competencies.By incorporating interdisciplinary teaching and project-based learning, ideological and political education can be combined with various fields of study, creating a diverse learning environment and practical platform.For example, organizing interdisciplinary teams to conduct social research projects allows students to gain in-depth understanding of the essence and underlying causes of social problems through field investigations and data analysis.This interdisciplinary learning approach can cultivate students' innovative thinking and comprehensive analytical abilities, enhancing their problem-solving skills.By closely integrating information technology and interdisciplinary teaching, ideological and political education in universities can better adapt to the needs of the times and improve its effectiveness.Students will experience comprehensive development in diverse learning environments, nurturing rich perspectives, qualities, and abilities.This will lay a solid foundation for their future paths and transform them into individuals with a sense of social responsibility, innovative spirit, and critical thinking.Therefore, universities should actively promote the integration of information technology with ideological and political education and elevate the effectiveness of ideological and political education through interdisciplinary teaching methods.
In summary, the effectiveness of ideological and political education in universities from the perspective of volunteer services holds great significance.Through active participation in volunteer service activities, students can cultivate social responsibility, critical thinking, and practical abilities while enriching the practical domain and effectiveness of ideological and political education.In the future, it is essential to establish a comprehensive volunteer service system, implement diverse volunteer service projects, strengthen the integration of volunteer services with academic disciplines, and actively advocate the role of the government.Only in this way can we better cultivate university graduates with a sense of social responsibility and ideological qualities, equipping them with the ability to actively face social challenges, independent thinking, and problem-solving skills, making positive contributions to social development and progress.

Conclusion
The effectiveness of ideological and political education in universities plays a crucial role in modern society.Volunteer service, as a powerful tool and approach, injects new vitality and practical value into ideological and political education in universities.Through volunteer service, students can experience society, enhance their sense of social responsibility and moral awareness, and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.However, achieving the effectiveness of ideological and political education in universities from the perspective of volunteer services requires joint efforts from universities, governments, and social organizations.Universities should strengthen the organization and management of volunteer services, establish comprehensive systems and mechanisms, and ensure the quality and effectiveness of volunteer service activities.Governments should formulate relevant policies and measures, provide necessary support and resources, and promote the widespread application of volunteer services in ideological and political education in universities.