1st Edition

Service-learning Applications From the Research

Edited By Alan S. Waterman Copyright 1997

    Linking research and educational practice for the benefit of both is not a new idea. If practice such as service-learning is a bold departure from the status quo, however, research is not just beneficial, it is critical. If schools are to become laboratories of democracy and entrepreneurship, and if students are to become engaged as partners in renewal of their communities, a research case must be made for service-learning. Does learning take place? Will other kinds of learning suffer? What kinds of practice are most effective? Clearly, solid research is essential if this transforming way of teaching and learning is to be fully integrated into American schooling and youth development institutions.

    The National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC) took a first step toward joining service-learning practice with research in 1983. In 1991, NYLC created a center which initiated and encouraged program evaluation, formative research that informs and improves practice, and summative studies that measure results. This volume grew out of a National Service-Learning Conference--an annual event convened by the NYLC. A day long research seminar at the conference brought together researchers to discuss the latest developments among themselves and with practitioners. Impressive in their range and rigor, their papers offer documentation and analysis useful to an emerging research knowledge base. It is a starting point for the evidence needed to firmly establish service-learning for K-12 age people as a widely accepted way of teaching and learning.

    Contents: J.C. Kielsmeier, Foreword. Preface. A.S. Waterman, An Overview of Service-Learning and the Role of Research and Evaluation in Service-Learning Programs. Part I:Methodologies for the Study of Service-Learning. R.C. Serow, Research and Evaluation on Service-Learning: The Case for Holistic Assessment. R.D. Shumer, Learning From Qualitative Research. D.A. Blyth, R. Saito, T. Berkas, A Quantitative Study of the Impact of Service-Learning Programs. Part II:Research on the Elements of Effective Service-Learning. J. Eyler, D. Giles, Jr., The Importance of Program Quality in Service-Learning. R.C. Wade, Teachers of Service-Learning. A.S. Waterman, The Role of Student Characteristics in Service-Learning. Part III:Research on the Contexts for Service-Learning. B.A. Miller, Service-Learning in Support of Rural Community Development. N.Z. Keith, Doing Service Projects in Urban Settings. Conclusions: L.R. Bradley, Evaluating Service-Learning: Toward a New Paradigm.

    Biography

    Alan S. Waterman

    "This book is the first text of its kind to present all we now know from the research on service-learning in an accessible and organized way. As such it makes a major contribution to the burgeoning literature on this subject and provides a strong research foundation..."
    Journal of Higher Education