Service Learning

My First Experience at a Women-Only Conference by Grace Yia-Hei Kao

by Feminism and Religion

Originally published on the Feminism and Religion project

“This ain’t your daddy’s conference!”

I knew that I was going to be attending a totally different type of... more “This ain’t your daddy’s conference!”

I knew that I was going to be attending a totally different type of conference than I had ever been to before when I received the following instructions on additional items to pack: (1) my own mug with which to drink coffee or tea (“we will go green in this conference as much as possible”), (2) 3 oz. of water “from a source of nature near your home” to be offered during “opening worship,” and (3) a small, modest, pre-owned, homemade, or inexpensive “earth-honoring gift for exchange.”

Impacts of service learning on Irish healthcare students, educators, and communities

by Margaret McGrath

Öğretmen yetiştirmede sosyal girişimciliği ve katılımcılığı destekleyen bir yaklaşım olarak topluma hizmet uygulamaları (Community service-learning: An approach supporting entrepreneurship democratic participation in teacher education)

by Ceyhun OZAN

Küçükoğlu, A., Kaya, H. İ., Bay, E., Taşgın, A., & Ozan, C. (2010, Nisan). The Second International Congress of Educational Research, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Antalya.

In 2006 education year Council of Higher Education updated school of educations’ curriculum. Accordingly, the council... more In 2006 education year Council of Higher Education updated school of educations’ curriculum. Accordingly, the council decided to add comminity service learning (CSL) course which is based on service-learning as a new course to the curriculum. Aim of this course community service learning is to acquire experiences to prospective teachers on being more participative on several issues such as taking responsibility developing and to realize projects being democratic participating cooperative and collaborative individuals. The study recruited qualitative method purpose of the study is to determine perception of prospective teachers on basic qualities that is aimed to acquired through CLS. Finding revealed that there are problems that are waiting for solution on planning applying and evaluating CSL. As a conclusion, findings yield that CSL could not provide acquisition of social

Hybrid Virtual- and Field Work-based Service Learning with Green Information Technology and Systems Projects

by Joshua Pearce

K. Branker, J. M. Pearce, J. Corbett, and J. Webster, “Hybrid Virtual- and Field Work-based Service Learning with Green Information Technology and Systems Projects”, International Journal for Service Learning in Engineering 5(2), pp. 44-59 (2010).

Traditional engineering service learning (SL) projects can be classified as: 1) collaborations with a community group... more Traditional engineering service learning (SL) projects can be classified as: 1) collaborations with a community group or non-profit organization to provide specific engineering around a community need, or 2) an internship-like experience with industry to address work requested by a client. The limitation of both traditional SL approaches is that they do not prepare students to implement unprescribed projects. In contrast, here students chose both the project and the partner for a self-directed engineering SL experience. This paper presents the findings of this novel pedagogical exercise in which students acted as change agents for industry by implementing unsolicited energy conservation measures (ECMs) focused on green information technology and systems (IT/S), in order to improve organizations’ environmental and economic performance. The hybrid SL projects had both ‘virtual’ and ‘real’ (field-work) SL components. For the virtual component, student teams developed and published on-line, open-source ECM calculators. For the field-work component, the teams self-selected industry clients and performed IT/S energy audits. Applicable ECMs were then selected and tailored, forming the basis of recommendations to the organizations. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of such hybrid engineering SL projects.

Service Learning in Engineering and Science for Sustainable Development

by Joshua Pearce

Joshua M. Pearce, "Service Learning in Engineering and Science for Sustainable Development", International Journal for Service Learning in Engineering, Vol. 1(1), 2006.

This short paper in the inaugural issue of the International Journal for Service Learning in Engineering explains how... more This short paper in the inaugural issue of the International Journal for Service Learning in Engineering explains how professors at all of the world’s institutions can capitalize on an opportunity to assist students to learn engineering and science more effectively by offering them a chance to make concrete contributions to the optimization of appropriate technologies for sustainable development.

Connecting Mathematics and the Applied Science of Energy Conservation

by Joshua Pearce

R. E. Carbone and J. M. Pearce,“Connecting Mathematics and the Applied Science of Energy Conservation”, The Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations, 11, pp. 233-243, 2009.

To effectively teach science in the elementary classroom, pre-service K-8 teachers need a basic understanding of the... more To effectively teach science in the elementary classroom, pre-service K-8 teachers need a basic understanding of the underlying concepts of physics, which demand a strong foundation in mathematics. Unfortunately, the depth of mathematics understanding of prospective elementary teachers has been a growing and serious concern for several decades. To overcome this challenge, a two-pronged attack was used in this study. First, students in mathematics courses were coupled with physical science courses by linking registration to ensure co-requisites were taken. This alone improved passing rates. Secondly, an energy conservation project was introduced in both classes that intimately tied the theoretical mathematics base knowledge to problems in physical science, energy efficiency, and household economics. These connections made the mathematics highly relevant to the students and improved both their theoretical understanding and their grades. Together, the two approaches of tying mathematics to physical science and applying mathematical skills to solving energy efficiency problems have shown to be extremely effective at improving student performance. This five-year study not only exhibited record improvements in student performance, but also can be easily replicated at other institutions experiencing similar challenges in training pre-service elementary school teachers.

Overcoming Language Challenges of Open Source Appropriate Technology for Sustainable Development in Africa

by Joshua Pearce

Joshua M. Pearce and Eleanor ter Horst, “Overcoming Language Challenges of Open Source Appropriate Technology for Sustainable Development in Africa”, Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 11(3) pp.230-245, 2010.

Despite enormous efforts over the course of several decades, sustainable development on the African continent remains... more Despite enormous efforts over the course of several decades, sustainable development on the African continent remains incompletely realized. Top-down methodologies have largely failed and many sustainable development organizations now support small-scale direct approaches, which provide the tools and knowledge necessary for people to help themselves. The new approach to sustainable development of open source appropriate technology (OSAT) builds on these successes. OSAT is a development method for traditional appropriate technologies (following Schumacher). The fundamental concept behind OSAT is that anyone can learn how to make and use AT free of intellectual property concerns, and can simultaneously add to the collective open source knowledge base by contributing ideas, observations, and experimental data. This approach to drive sustainable development is promising because the continuous peer review should result in better quality, higher reliability, more flexibility and of course less expensive (free) AT than conventional design/patenting. As OSAT is being developed largely in English, Africa’s many languages present a fundamental challenge to OSAT’s use for sustainable development on this continent. This paper provides potential solutions to this challenge by reviewing i) the ongoing merger between Appropedia (English) and Ekopedia (French), ii) systematic translations at the NGO Catalytic Communities, and iii) virtual service learning in languages. Despite enormous efforts over the course of several decades, sustainable development on the African continent remains incompletely realized. Top-down methodologies have largely failed and many sustainable development organizations now support small-scale direct approaches, which provide the tools and knowledge necessary for people to help themselves. The new approach to sustainable development of open source appropriate technology (OSAT) builds on these successes. OSAT is a development method for traditional appropriate technologies (following Schumacher). The fundamental concept behind OSAT is that anyone can learn how to make and use AT free of intellectual property concerns, and can simultaneously add to the collective open source knowledge base by contributing ideas, observations, and experimental data. This approach to drive sustainable development is promising because the continuous peer review should result in better quality, higher reliability, more flexibility and of course less expensive (free) AT than conventional design/patenting. As OSAT is being developed largely in English, Africa’s many languages present a fundamental challenge to OSAT’s use for sustainable development on this continent. This paper provides potential solutions to this challenge by reviewing i) the ongoing merger between Appropedia (English) and Ekopedia (French), ii) systematic translations at the NGO Catalytic Communities, and iii) virtual service learning in languages.

Critical-Service Learning Confronts Homelessness

by Brad Porfilio

Academic Exchange Quarterly...Co-authored with Ron Caro and Alishia Valeri

Abstract

This essay documents the findings from a critical-service learning project.  Through their... more Abstract

This essay documents the findings from a critical-service learning project.  Through their experiences tutoring urban youths over two academic terms, four future teachers got beyond blaming urban children and their families for their struggles and the debilitated conditions impacting their community. They recognized the systemic nature associated with homelessness and poverty. They also recognized the need for educators to bring awareness to what forces cause homelessness. However, the cultural work at the shelter did not alter the perceptions of six pre-service teachers in relation to homelessness, social inequality, and teaching for social justice.

Interdisciplinary Environmental Education: Communicating and Applying Energy Efficiency for Sustainability

by Joshua Pearce

Joshua Pearce and Chris Russill, "Interdisciplinary Environmental Education: Communicating and Applying Energy Efficiency for Sustainability", Applied Environmental Education and Communication, 4(1), 65-72, 2005.

This paper demonstrates that interdisciplinary alliances on environmental education projects can effectively address... more This paper demonstrates that interdisciplinary alliances on environmental education projects can effectively address the gap between complex environmental problems in the real world and disciplinary curricula in a university. We describe an alliance between an advanced communication course and a general science course wherein we addressed interconnections of energy efficiency, economics, and global climate change with respect to their impact on individuals, local businesses, and society. This project established that an interdisciplinary environmental project focused on local solutions to global problems is both a valuable learning tool for students and an effective method of accelerating the application of appropriate technologies.

Student Inquiries into Neglected Research for a Sustainable Society: Communication and Application

by Joshua Pearce

Joshua Pearce and Chris Russill, "Student Inquiries Into Neglected Research For A Sustainable Society: Communication and Application", Bulletin of Science, Technology and Society, 23(4), 311-320, 2003.

By applying the interdisciplinary approach of Science, Technology & Society, students can solve often-neglected... more By applying the interdisciplinary approach of Science, Technology & Society, students can solve often-neglected research problems of shifting society’s operation towards a sustainable state. A recent Penn State University student research report entitled “The Mueller Report: Moving from Sustainability Indicators to Sustainability Action”, contained a detailed ecological analysis of one campus building and addressed methods to optimize its ecological performance in terms of sustainability by utilizing both behavioral and technological improvements. This paper analyzes the factors that affected the successful implementation of sustainable practices generated by student research: i) choosing a receptive primary audience, ii) establishing interpersonal relationships with decision makers, iii) saturating the local media, iv) making sustainability convenient, and v) demonstrating fiscal responsibility.

Foreign Languages and Sustainability: Addressing the Connections, Communities and Comparisons Standards in Higher Education

by Joshua Pearce

Foreign Language Annals, Vol. 43, No. 3, pp. 365-383, 2010

This article describes an interdisciplinary collaboration, which combined the study of German with instruction in... more This article describes an interdisciplinary collaboration, which combined the study of German with instruction in environmental issues (sustainable development). The project, involving both an independent study and a classroom unit, allowed students to make connections between disciplines, establish contact with German-speaking communities outside the university, and make cultural and linguistic comparisons. By expanding the German-language content on the website, Appropedia.org, which is devoted to global sustainable development, students took an active role in learning by creating content that can be read and used by the global community of German speakers. This project provided a model for successful interdisciplinary instruction. The results of this study show that integrating environmental issues with foreign language study provides significant opportunities for students to increase their language proficiency, develop their understanding of concepts related to the environment, and become more involved in a global community through a virtual service-learning project.

Appropedia as a Tool for Service Learning in Sustainable Development

by Joshua Pearce

Joshua M. Pearce, "Appropedia as a Tool for Service Learning in Sustainable Development", Journal of Education for Sustainable Development, 3(1), pp.47-55, 2009.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that university students are capable of contributing to sustainable development... more Numerous studies have demonstrated that university students are capable of contributing to sustainable development while improving their academic skills. Unfortunately for many institutions, the expense of sending large cohorts of students on international service learning trips is prohibitive. Yet, students remain enthusiastic and well equipped to assist in sustainable development. This article reports on two pedagogical experiments in service learning that overcame this challenge by providing solutions to sustainable development problems using Appropedia.org, the site for collaborative solutions in sustainability, poverty reduction and international development. The course successfully used Appropedia (1) as a forum for students who were geographically dispersed, (2) for a whole-class writing collaboration, (3) to coordinate a sustainability-focussed outreach campaign to retrofit stop lights in communities throughout Pennsylvania and (4) to review class material with application to technologies for sustainable development.

Measuring Social Capital as an Outcome of Service Learning

by Maria J. D'Agostino

Innovative Higher Education
Volume 37, Number 1, 65-66, DOI: 10.1007/s10755-011-9208-6

Service-learning has been put forth as one of the proposed solutions to increasing social capital. However,... more Service-learning has been put forth as one of the proposed solutions to increasing social capital. However, service-learning research has not significantly addressed the impact of service learning on social capital. Unlike most previous studies, this research used quantitative analysis to measure the effect of university service-learning programs on social capital by examining the question: What impact do service-learning programs have on social capital post-graduation? This study showed that service learning addresses the civic engagement problem by providing evidence suggesting that service learning predicts social capital post-graduation.

Fostering a Civically Engaged Society: The University and Service Learning

by Maria J. D'Agostino

Maria J. D'Agostino
Source: Journal of Public Affairs Education, Vol. 14, No. 2,
Symposium: Third-PartyGovernment, Service Learning, and Civic Engagement in the Public Affairs Curriculum(Summer, 2008), pp. 191-204
Published by: National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA)
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/40215809 .

As public administration is faced with the challenge of making governance work, the university is being called upon to... more As public administration is faced with the challenge of making governance work, the university is being called upon to become more involved in the civic engagement movement. Increasing civic engagement requires addressing one of the core problems contributing to its decline: deteriorating community caused by a lack of social capital. Although there is debate about whether there has been a decline in civic engagement or simply a change in the ways citizens participate, there is agreement about the need to increase engagement and to include uni- versities in this process. One of the proposed solutions, advocated by Barber and Battistoni (1993) and Putnam (2000), is service learning. Empirical data support a positive association between service learning and social capital (D'Agostino, 2006). This paper moves beyond theory to describe actual collaboration between universities and public administration to foster a civically engaged society. I will first show that the university is a key actor in community. I will then describe service learning as the means for universities to fulfill their role in community. This is followed by articulating how, through master of public administration (MPA) programs, the university can move this conversation forward. This effort by universities is then assessed through a survey of 133 MPA chairs.

An Excellent Review of Crtical-Service Learning Volume by Robert Shumer

by Brad Porfilio

Co-edited with Heather Hickman
Service for Change Requires a Change in Service A review of
Critical Service-Learning as Revolutionary Pedagogy

Along the path to service-learning

by Roy Schwartzman

Schwartzman, R. (2002). Along the path to service-learning. Journal of Public Affairs, 6, 43-60.

Practitioners and advocates of service-learning could profit from more critical attention to the motives, methods, and... more Practitioners and advocates of service-learning could profit from more critical attention to the motives, methods, and outcomes of community partnerships. This article takes issue with the contention that service is needed as a remedy for student apathy. The political economy of service-learning also reveals the potential for undermining as well as enriching community service. Finally, an overview of service-learning research points to challenges in assessing the outcomes of service-learning.

Service-learning pathologies and prognoses

by Roy Schwartzman

Schwartzman, R. (2010). Service-learning pathologies and prognoses. Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education, 1(2), 1-17.

Sociologists in Action: Joe Bandy & Elspeth Benard

by Joe Bandy

In Sociologists in Action.  SAGE Publications. With Elspeth Benard. Pp. 193-7. 2011.

Housing and Homelessness in Maine: A Case of Public Sociology in Practice

by Joe Bandy

In Sociologists in Action. SAGE Publications. With Craig McEwen. Pp. 128-34. 2011.

Sociologists in Action: Joe Bandy

by Joe Bandy

In The Engaged Sociologist. Third Edition. SAGE Publications. Pp. 9-10. 2011.