Using Service Learning as a Tool to Engage Students in

Diverse Educational Endeavors Scott L. Crabill, Ph.D. – Director of Integrative Studies

Jason Schmitt, Ph.D. – Special Lecturer of CommunicationCharles Rinehart, M.A. – Special Lecturer of Communication

What are we talking about?• Civic Engagement – Active community participation

to improve humanity• Academic Service Learning (ASL) – Incorporates

learning objectives through community activities• Community Based Learning – Any type of

experience that occurs outside the campus community.

• Civic Learning – Focus on theory of citizenship and social awareness.

Historical Grounding

• Extends from land grant universities of the 1860’s

• Civil rights organizations of the 1960’s• “Upon initial introduction service learning

ideals were often conflated to the ideals associated with internships and co-ops”(Oster-Aaland, et al., 2004)

Philosophical Underpinnings

• Social Justice• Learning Objectives• Community Outreach• Exploration not Exploitation

Academic Service Learning (ASL)

Pedagogy that clearly links learning objectives from individual courses with

coordinated projects that take place within the community, campus or otherwise.

Diversity Through ASL

• Create Diverse Placements• Challenges student world views• Creates a community of learners

• Issue Based Learning Objectives• Not limited by disciplines• Focus on issues central to diversity

• Reflective Learning• Direct connections with service and course objectives• Empower students to position their education in a

myriad of contexts

Group Dynamics and Service Learning

• Communication class at Oakland University– Communication, Business, Education

students• Class encompasses multiple group

assignments allowing the students a stronger understanding of their roles within small groups

Group Dynamics and Service Learning

• Culmination of Initial Small Group Communication course at Oakland University– All Groups course utilize service learning component

Project Required Students to: • Work in a small group environment in and

outside of the classroom• Acquire and maintain a relationship with an

organization in the community• Develop an understanding of their responsibility

to the community

BGSU Service Learningin the Basic Course

• Altering standardized pedagogy to make room for ASL

• Integrating Service into the freshman curriculum• Accountability• Multi-dimension learning• Connection with curriculum• Connection with university

BGSU Service Learningin the Basic Course

• Benefits of on campus Service• Provides a more diverse and directed course curriculum• Easily integrates into class organization• Expedites reflection of service• Eases campus neglect from budget deficits• Provides great PR for community awareness

Knowledge Integration and Civic Engagement

• Field Experience in Integrative Studies• General education capstone course• Writing intensive

• Knowledge Integration Through Service• Require students to draw upon past education to

address a problem/issue based in community• Project based assignment that links knowledge

gained through education with community need

Knowledge Integration and Civic Engagement

Students developed a publication on nutrition that was geared toward children in lower elementary grades.

Visit grade schools without health education

curriculum and present information contained in publication

Knowledge Integration and Civic Engagement

Project Required Students to: • Work in a group learning environment• Draw upon multiple disciplines• Integrate knowledge by creating a product• Engage in their community as responsible

citizens

Questions and Discussion

Academic Service-Learning is a teaching methodology which engages students in community service as a means of helping

them gain a deeper understanding of course objectives, acquire new

knowledge, and engage in civic activity.