Running head: EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 1
Capstone Literature Review
Reshaping Policy And Foundational Approaches For Service-learning in Higher Education
Nate Doolin
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Author Note
This paper was prepared for ELPA 777: Higher and Postsecondary Education Capstone Seminar taught by Hyekyung Lee.
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 2
Table of Contents
Title page ……………………………………………………………………………..page 1
Abstract/Introduction ………………………………………………………………....pages 2-9
Methods ………………………………………………………………………………pages 9-11
Literature Review …………………………………………………………………….pages 11-36
Discussion …………………………………………………………………………….pages 37-41
References …………………………………………………………………………….pages 42-54
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 3
Abstract
The literature review offers a thorough explanation of service-learning as a collegiate
pedagogy and provides suggestions for its continual success in the core curriculum. The paper
more specifically reviews service-learning in the following areas: (a) historical overview of
service-learning (b) student development, (c) faculty involvement, and (d) institutionalism.
Service-learning was found to have negative effects on student development and community
members, but positive effects were found to highly outweigh them. Findings suggest universities
need to do a better job of compensating faculty members who facilitate service-learning courses
as well as explore effective ways of offering service-learning across different majors in the core
curriculum. More attention is suggested to be given to long-term service-learning planning.
Long-term planning may be effective if both administrative personnel and faculty are involved in
the process. The creation of several committees and evaluation of endowment allocations are
also discussed as possible areas to improve service-learning offerings. A review of the literature
also found faculty members and administrators need to explore better ways to incorporate social
justice and diversity into the curriculum of service-learning.
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 4
Introduction
Within the last few decades, service-learning in higher education has progressively
emerged as an area of interest among many universities and has rose to the forefront of
discussion for implementing new experimental learning approaches into the collegiate
curriculum. Institutions of higher education continue to struggle with enacting programs to carry
out the traditional historical mission statement of civic responsibly, while also developing ever-
changing initiatives to solve present day need, benefiting both the student and the community
(Kahne & Westheimer, 1996; Kezar & Rhoads, 2001). Service-learning remains as a vastly
understudied area of academia and carries an abundance of uncertainty. Post-secondary
institutions hold a long history of attempting to properly assert or distinguish meaningful and
stable service-learning pedagogies as a key component into their academic core (Cone & Harris,
1996; Furco, 1996; Howard, 2001; Mabry, 1998; Mendel‐Reyes, 1998; Parker-Gwin & Mabry,
1998). More specifically, universities struggle with creating long-term strategic planning for
service-learning initiatives and, in most cases, fail to completely assess the resources or support
needed for a successful integration into its curriculum (Bringle & Hatcher, 1996; Compact, 2000;
Driscoll, 2000).
The Association of American Colleges and Universities, American Council on Education
and the American Association for Higher Education nevertheless continue to bring awareness for
the importance of service-learning opportunities even as universities grapple with its
implementation (Applegate & Morreale, 1999; Bringle & Hatcher, 1996; Saltmarsh, 2005).
Furthermore, researchers continue to identify solutions and explore how service in the
community affects a student’s ability to connect coursework to civic enrichment opportunities
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 5
and their growth through psychosocial or cognitive structure development processes (Astin &
Sax, 1998; Cruz & Giles, 2000; Gray, Ondaatje & Zakaras, 1999; Morgan & Streb, 2001).
Service learning is defined in a multitude of ways and its purpose varies across many
literary works (Forsyth, Lu & McGirr, 2000; Furco, 1996; Seifer, 1998; Speck & Hoppe, 2004).
The lack of a clear and concentrated definition of service-learning has further led to the
confusion of its mission while multiple interpretations have classified this area of academia topic
as experimental or an untrusted means of education by many (Butin, 2006; Furco, 1996; Morton,
1995; Weigert, 1998). For the purpose of this paper the strongest identified definition of service
learning is stated as,
"a method under which students or participants learn and develop through active
participation in thoughtfully organized service experiences that is conducted in
institutions of higher education and meets the needs of a community … helps foster civic
responsibility; and is integrated into and enhances the academic curriculum of the
students … and provides structured time for the students to reflect on the service
experience" (Corporation for National and Community Service, 1990, p. 13).
Research conducted on the topic of service-learning has been stated to both support and
dismiss the value of its expected offerings for shaping effective or meaningful student
development on college campuses (Bringle & Kremer, 1993; Compact, 2000; Eby,1998; Eyler &
Giles, 1997). Weigert (2002) acknowledges problems persists with how to properly measure
success, handle students who falsify work, monitor student’s progress and evaluate the confusion
faculty members have by trying to lay out a plan. Service-learning has been shown to bring
negative effects for both students and the community based on a faculty member’s lack of
awareness to connect with the cultural values within the community, while also failing to steer
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 6
clear of a non-biased political presence with their work (Compact, 2000; Kahne & Westheimer,
1996). Service-learning has additionally been detrimental to community-based organizations and
to a student’s development process due to institutions’ lack of support for students, resulting in a
decline of commitment, understanding and continuing interest once enrolled in the course
(Blouin & Perry, 2009; Eby, 1998).
Even with the presence of negative outcomes for service learning, numerous positive
outcomes for the student also exists from service-learning which include: emotional satisfaction
and passion for academic pursuits that comes from service, creative relationship development
with the community and the opportunity to be a part of hands-on innovation and groundbreaking
work (Weigert, 2002). Students who participate in service-learning programs also display
growth and a better understanding of self-authorship, social justice, awareness of diversity
issues, increases in academic understanding, elevation of critical thinking skills and the ability to
identify communal need when giving purpose to a chosen area of study (Baldwin, Buchanan &
Rudisill, 2007; Einfeld & Collins, 2008; Jones & Abes, 2004; Morgan & Streb, 2001).
While service-learning has benefited students in diverse ways, problems pertaining to
research, policies and practices still exist. Service-learning has been vastly understudied in
relation to how it contributes to linking students holistically as post-graduate citizens and
advancing past attempts to meet temporary experimental academic pursuits within community
service (Butin, 2010). More specifically, service-learning on most college campuses has failed
to produce long-term approaches to its meaning as an agent to the community (Boud &
Falchikov, 2005). Literature has suggested a need to better define and explore more creative
avenues of implementing service-learning within the collegiate curriculum through the domain
of teaching and learning by faculty, practitioners and administrators. Throughout the findings of
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 7
several literary works, a lack of consistency is present of how to better challenge and support
faculty and students in this area.
Historically, service-learning has lacked a consist identity in the academy (Butin, 2006;
Furco, 1996). For years universities have experimented with their own service-learning
practices, but have failed to collaborate with a national movement or effective approach to grow
service-learning consistently in a wider array of majors across campus. Service-learning has
evolved tremendously over the years and at times so fast a large uncertainty of its purpose has
lingered. During the 1960’s service-learning was used as an “anti-educational” social movement
to test out the effectiveness of traditional classroom in a way that could almost be viewed as an
experimental revolt to core academic principles (Lounsbury & Pollack, 2001). Since the
experimental learning concepts of elevating learning outside of the classroom began to take
shape in the 1980’s, a direction of social justice began to take shape rather than viewing service-
learning as solely charity work one does outside of their academic commitments (Lounsbury &
Pollack, 2001). Mission statements have outlined the terms citizenship and service as a central
component of its offering, but collectively, universities have consistently failed to fully
incorporate these founding principles into its true academic identity beyond campus boundaries
(Weigert, 1998). Based on the literature, service-learning is still seen to be in an experimental
state and holds as a fairly new concept in student learning.
This paper aims to investigate how the service-learning curriculum, along with its overall
offerings, can be better structured or implemented in postsecondary academia as a way to avoid
negative outcomes and provide more positive occurrences for all parties involved. The paper will
also compare and contrasts the positive and negative perceptions of service-learning. The
literature review will bridge the gap between properly understanding the mission of the terms
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 8
“service” (for the community) and “learning” (classroom knowledge) in academic efforts on
college campuses, giving a more detailed explanation of its full integration of offerings to the
student. Trends involving potential student outcomes and university service-learning
contributions will be brought to light in order to help bring a stronger awareness to increase more
advanced service-learning opportunities campus-wide. These service-opportunities will closely
examine the following: (a) establishing community partnerships that align to the university
values, (b) reviewing faculty perceptions of support and resources, (c) reviewing offerings and
motivation for students and (d) expanding service-learning into a university’s core foundation of
strategic planning moving forward.
This paper also seeks to analyze information on the topics mentioned above in order to
establish better policy strategies for service-learning. These policy strategies will give
suggestions on to how to better serve students when thinking critically of how their area of study
gives a stronger sense of purpose to the world. By doing so, student will be able to better
transition into careers in which they are passionate about as well as to be able to bring more
innovative thoughts into the community based on their previous experience. The policy analysis
discussed at the end of the paper will also give suggestions for faculty members on how to better
create service-learning programs. The policy suggestions will also be critical of how universities
should be involved with service-learning, giving advice on how to provide resources and
support. The overall goal of this paper is to introduce new approaches to service-learning that
universities can use in order to be successful with this area of academia based on the collective
findings outlined in the literature review search.
The significance of this literature review is to develop an overall understanding of
service-learning methods so attempts of implementing new strategies are better planned in order
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 9
to help the student, faculty and administration understand the overall mission. Additionally this
paper will attempt to formulate more collective ideas on how to better assess service-learning for
student growth and faculty direction. Additionally, the objective is to help universities establish
more long-term planning with service learning opposed to accomplishing semester or annual
goals. This paper will be organized into three main areas: student development, faculty/staff
involvement and institutionalism.
These three areas of interest will attempt to answer the following research questions
posed: (a) what effects or contributions does a service-learning experience have on or add to a
student’s holistic development at a four-year post-secondary institution? (b) how can universities
improve or develop better approaches in the teaching/learning curriculum and resources offered
to service-learning initiatives and (c) how can universities collectively establish a more
structured outlook for service-learning planning and encourage more effective collaboration?
Methods
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries online collection browser and online
article databases were primarily used in the gathering of sources. The Google Scholar search
engine, EBSCOhost Academic Search Premier, Sprinerlink Series and several course books were
also selected as places where sources were collected. Some of the popular journals consisted of
digitalcommons.unomaha.edu, Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning and the
Journal of College Student Development. Robert Bringle, Julie Hatcher, Janet Eyler, and Dwight
Giles are a few of the more notable leading researchers in this area of interest, producing several
literary works which have given suggestion for improvement in service learning. Over 115
articles were viewed using the following keywords and phrases: service-learning, higher
education, civic engagement, university mission, faculty support, student motivation, learning
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 10
outcomes, curriculum development, off campus initiatives, academic community partnerships,
and policy analysis. These key words were selected as a way to further narrow down my area of
focus surrounding service-learning. Along with searching the term service-learning, I have
identified the following keywords as areas of interest in my review which will help direct me to
develop sound subtopics. By starting with broader wording, I am able to better condense and
build off of more important areas of concern found in the literature rather than missing out on
research that may have gone unnoticed had I began with a more specific search. Paired with
service-learning, these keywords gave me a greater opportunity to define and explore a wide
array of authors.
The direction I took with my methods was to funnel down ideas into more specific areas
of concern in order to identify areas of need where new policy can be created. Additionally, I
was able to synthesize ideas from broader areas which later helped me identify reoccurring
themes to explore for my subtopics that branched off of my more generic terms. Upon reviewing
the literature works, articles were later arranged into three main areas of interest; student
development, faculty involvement and institutionalism. Following my funnel down approach,
these three main areas of interest reoccurred as concerns for future studies among the authors in
the discussion portion of the peer-reviewed articles. Student development was arranged into
subcategories including: Kolb’s learning model, motivation/purpose and service learning by
major. Faculty involvement consisted of: motivation/incentives, resources, curriculum and
establishing partnerships. Finally, institutionalism was arranged into subcategories including:
provided support, funding and long-term planning.
Kolb’s learning model was identified in several articles as a foundational model for
service-learning and I felt this approach served as a respectable representation of how student
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 11
affair professionals can evaluate student-learning outcomes. I found this model as a way for me
to branch off new ideas and give a more in-depth look at how service-learning should be
perceived. The model aligns well with the array of definitions for service-learning that are
supported by the authors in the literature review.
Key points found from scholarly works were then synthesized together within the
subcategories to create supporting notions for each point. Following a thorough synthesis, main
areas were compared and contrasted in relation to how each fit into each sub section. The main
findings from the literature review were later cited in the discussion. These main findings served
as supporting material which helped develop new policy and best practices for service-learning
initiatives on a college campus. The policy development was supported by the findings in the
literature review.
Literature Review
I will arrange the review into four sections which include: (a) overview of service-
learning (b) student development, (c) faculty involvement, and (d) institutionalism. The overview
portion of service-learning will deliver a more in-depth review of the founding principles I have
located within the literature and include objectives of service-learning to further develop a better
understanding for its place on a college campus. The student development section will compare
and contrast both positive and negative effects service-learning can bring to a student. I will then
move into the student development section and will introduce Kolb’s learning model, evaluate
student motivation/purpose and explore how service-learning differs across a spectrum of
academic majors. I will then cover topics surrounding faculty involvement. In this section I will
discuss incentives/motivation, curriculum design and establishing community partnerships.
Finally, the literature will look into a larger frame of how service-learning is portrayed on a
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 12
university level in the institutionalism section. I will split the institutionalism portion into
sections which will focus on the following: (a) why administrators should care about service-
learning (b) provided support, (c) funding and (d) examining long-term planning. Finally, I will
finalize the literature review within the discussion portion. The discussion portion will the follow
the literature review giving a summary of the key points, give a personal narrative of my service-
learning experience and introduce new policy strategies based on the findings from the literature
review.
Service-Learning Core Values and Objectives
American philosopher and psychologist, John Dewey, has been coined the pioneer of the
present-day service-learning pursuits, first introducing new learning methods outside of
traditional classroom instruction as far back as the late 1890’s (Giles & Eyler, 1994; Harkavy &
Benson, 1998; Saltmarsh, 2005). In a reproduction of one of his earlier works (produced by
Simon and Schuster Publishing) Dewey is famously quoted on his thoughts for traditional
academic settings with the following,
“Experience and experiment are not self-explanatory ideas. Rather, their
meaning is part of the problem to be explored … The belief that all genuine education comes
through experience does not mean all experiences are equally educative. Experience and
education cannot be directly equated to each other … How many students, for example, were
rendered callous to ideas, and how many lost the impetus to learn because of the way in which
learning was experienced to them” (Dewey, 2007).
Dewey’s remarks here state students should have the opportunity to make they own
experiences through their experimentation, rather than being limited to the confines of one
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 13
educator. Dewey additional brought forth thoughts on moral reasoning for service-learning,
stating this type of learning is extremely unique in the sense it allows students to integrate both
cognitive and affective thinking simultaneously (You & Rud, 2010). Dewey additionally argued
learning should be active so individuals can make sense of their own education experience
through physical and emotional processes where one can take a personal investment into their
learning rather than being limited to trying to conjure imagination for change in a traditional
academic setting (Rocheleau, 2004). Dewey never denounced traditional classroom setting, but
merely saw service-learning as an extension of what classes on campuses offer.
According to the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse (2011), “service learning can
be defined as a research-based teaching method where guided or classroom learning is applied
through action that addresses authentic community need in a process that allows for youth
initiative and provides structured time for reflection on the service experience and demonstration
of acquired skills and knowledge,” (p. 9). Collectively, service-learning can also be defined as a
faculty-supported course developed to challenge a student’s on-going cognitive and psychosocial
abilities through interaction with community partners; students are required to analyze, apply and
reflect upon self-identified solutions to practical social concerns which falls in focus of a
student’s chosen area of academic study. (Bringle, & Hatcher, 1995; Cantor, 1997; Cashman &
Seifer, 2008; Furco, 2003; Saltmarsh, 2005).
Throughout all service-learning definitions, the reflection process stands alone as one of
the most important components of service-learning (Bringle & Hatcher, 1999; Eyler, 2002;
Waterman, 2014). Reflection allows students to make sense of what they are doing and why they
are doing it rather than simply trying to find the lone sought after answer in most traditional
classroom settings (Moffat & Decker, 2000). When a student is guided through times of
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 14
reflection he/she is able to develop a feeling of purpose, a positive attitude, proper understanding
of how to work through challenging situations, make a personal connection to social issues and
explore long-term commitments. Reflection sessions also provided an opportunity for extended
peer interaction and discussion outside of the regular time-condensed lectures (Gallini & Moely,
2003). According to student-faculty feedback gathered from 400 member institutions in a
Campus Compact (2003) assessment survey regarding service-learning projects offering on
campus, the most effective types of reflection for students consist of: “providing a formal
evaluation of the experience (92%), conducting classroom presentations (86%), participating in
regular class discussions (86%), and perform daily and/or weekly journaling assignments
(85%),” (p. 19).
King and Kitchener (2004) further supports the importance of reflection with their
reflective judgment model. Under this model, students are able to provide reasoning to illogical
challenges and better understand the various and often confusing stages to problem solving
(Evans et al., 2009). Researchers however challenge faculty members to be active in the
reflection process and offer insight to students when needed. Students have reported reflection
has at times had a negative impact on them as deep thinking created overwhelming and
exhausting situations (Deeley, 2010). Students mentioned they began to overthink their mission
in their course and had a tough time disengaging from their experience, creating more stress in
their lives (Deeley, 2010). Faculty members or facilitators need to properly be aware of the
possibility of students draining themselves in thought and offer reflection prompts that gradually
bring the student back to their own personal responsibilities.
Ash and Clayton (2004) also bring an interesting perspective to what exactly reflection in
service-learning should consist of. According to their “reflective framework,” Ash and Clayton
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 15
(2004) suggest reflection should be broken into three stages: (a) explanation of the objective, (b)
review of objective within pre-determined categories and (c) test or set further goals from the
findings from the review process. During these three steps in the reflection process student
should place a focus on outcomes in each stage related to “academic, personal and civic”
responsibilities (Ash & Clayton, 2004). The importance and weight of the reflection process is
best captured by Bringle and Hatcher (1999) stating the following, “Reflection activities must
allow students to discover the value of dialogue, embrace the importance of perplexity in the
learning process, and develop the ability to make meaning of personal experience” (p. 185). By
following a well-constructed reflection process, students have a better chance of understanding
the intended outcomes of student development.
Student Development (Negative vs. Positive effects)
Several authors have identified a need for future research to be geared toward a more
thorough understanding on outcomes, assessments, and student satisfaction with service-learning
(Chadwick & Pawlowski, 2007; Myers-Lipton, 1996; Oster‐Aaland et al., 2004). When
measuring student development outcomes (negative or positive) during the service-learning
experience, the depth of wisdom gained, more specifically, occurs from peer-faculty interaction
rather than the actual obtainment of the task (Keen & Hall, 2009; Parker-Gwin & Mabry, 1998).
In a survey attempting to measure a student’s view of his/her overall development while enrolled
in a service-learning course; 40.6 percent of lower academic performing students reported
personal development was the most important factor to enhancing their learning experience (i.e.
self-awareness, understanding how they contribute to a larger picture, ability to identify things
they excel at, and building assurance) (Litke, 2002).
Negative
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 16
It is vital to acknowledge although service-learning is offered for numerous positive
reasons, negative aspects do exist and must be recognized in order to make corrections or
progressions toward the future direction of this pedagogy. Morton (1995) argues poorly arranged
service-learning courses can be a hindrance to a student’s academic experience as some classes
require too much direct instruction and not enough autonomy for the student to learn for
themselves, leading students to have a negative notion of trying to meet the professors extended
requirements rather than developing their own critical thoughts. Another negative aspect of
service-learning is untrained faculty members are unable to understand how to transition students
properly from developing critical thought in the classroom and applying it to the real world
social issues (Mitchell, 2008; Eby, 2008). Eby (1998) adds service-learning in the social sciences
can be extremely detrimental when classes are temporary situations and catered toward
mentoring children, leaving a feeling of abandonment after the experience is over. Another
negative aspect is community partners sometimes are seen as a laboratory experiment (or job) to
students rather than a real person, without proper guidance to educate students on real
community problems, the students could almost devalue the situation and develop unemotional
values to those around them (Eby, 2008).
Service learning also creates a disparity of need. Courses are geared toward helping the
students feel fulfilled that they have provided assistance rather than truly evaluating what the
need of the community is (Eby, 2008). Students may be misinformed by the power of service-
learning on a grassroots level as government intervention or larger programs are sometimes more
effective in certain situations. Students must understand their strengths and limitations as poor
faculty direction can falsify impacts students can make. According to the 2006 Campus Compact
survey, only 37 percent of the service-learning classes were actually geared toward social issues
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 17
(Campus Compact, 2006). This presents a strong findings as faculty members have a duty to help
student identify and work towards understandings these issues while in the classroom, apart from
the curriculum. Finally, a major critique of service-learning is the courses generally include
mostly white students from predominately white universities serving only minority groups, re-
enforcing racial labeling (Green, 2001). Green (2001) urges faculty to, “recruit students of all
races and class backgrounds for our service-learning classes and to develop pedagogies that
ensure these students are not asked to “represent their race” (or social class) during class
discussions” (p. 25). Faculty members who fail to add white privilege, oppression and cultural
identity into discussions during the duration of course will not only fail to help a student truly
understand social justice, but perhaps may led to re-enforcements of past beliefs (Jay, 2008).
Finally, service-learning affects each student differently and a failure to allow students to have
ownership of their service so they can develop their own “voice” could possibly create
resentment for the class or the overall purpose (Morgan & Streb, 2001).
Positive
In order to move forward with presenting its effectiveness and advantages of service-
learning on a college campus, positive offerings must be outlined in order to support this offering
so administrators have evidence of its potential. Astin et al. (2000) states service-learning have
been found to positively affect students in the following outcomes: personal efficacy, awareness
of the community need, awareness of one’s personal values, and heightened engagement in the
classroom. Students who also have completed service-learning coursework overwhelming
reported a shift in concern for others, an in-depth review of values, a responsibility to use their
economic privilege to help those less fortunate, and properly developing critical thinking skills
while navigating unfamiliar situations (Jones & Abes, 2004). Furthermore, Moely et al., (2002)
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 18
report students who participate in service-learning have a positive change in attitude toward
social justice, diversity and future involvement in his/her community. Additionally, students are
more easily able to identify solutions to social issues through a more insightful perspective,
linking community problems to larger social formations, compared to students who do
community service and blame these social issues on the individual’s cultural differences or
mental health problems (Hollis, 2002). More importantly, Astin et al. (2000) found service-
learning plays an active role in a student’s academic advancements as students reported higher
GPA’s and writing skills. Astin et al. (2000) believes this to be true based on a student’s level of
engagement in the course material. By being more engaged, a student is able to have a higher
rate of focus and inquiry to find the solutions, leading to an increased dedication to push
themselves past their original expectations (Astin et al., 2000).
In conjunction with Astin et al. (200), Cross (1998) adds academic performance is
influenced by the service-learning model because it allows students the freedom to try more
extensive approaches for interpretation of academia even if he/she don’t fully understand what is
being taught. The interesting offering of service-learning is it allows students to mold their own
personal idea by actively conversing from numerous sources within their peer group discussions,
not limited to a few textbooks, large weekly lectures or one voice of reason from the professor
(Batchelder & Root, 1994). Evidence of the satisfaction students have for exploring these
different learning techniques can be seen from their continued involvement and application
following degree completion.
In a nine-year survey measuring post-college volunteering among 12,376 graduates from
209 institutions, 44 percent of the sample who volunteered at least six hours a week their final
year in college reported volunteering at least one hour a week after graduation, revealing short-
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 19
term service-learning involvement does has a positive affect for long-term efforts (Avalos, Sax &
Astin, 1999). Research also shows faculty perceptions of how service-learning has contributed to
academic growth and life-long commitments to civic engagement.
Prentice and Robinson (2010) surveyed 17 faculty members with at least three years of
service learning experience. The faculty members stated service-learning affected their students
by: (a) creating a higher degree of enthusiasm for academics, (b) providing a space where
students felt comfortable making mistakes and taking risks, (c) creating a stronger relationship
with faculty (d) ability to identify interpret and welcome worldviews outside of their own and (e)
establishing long-term goals after graduation. Prentice and Robinson (2010) also surveyed the
students in their class with 69 percent reporting the class helped them better comprehend course
material and 76 percent reporting it helped them to have a stronger understanding of how to be a
better community member. To further look at this performance of learning the Kolb learning
model (1984) is introduced to give a more in-depth view of how students are processing their
service-learning experience.
Kolb Learning Model
Kolb’s learning model (1984) is one of the best researched-based theory models found in
the literature for service-learning. Although Kolb has not directly cited this model as one for
service-learning directly, there is strong evidence and principle for the application to service-
learning. What is significant about Kolb’s learning model (1984) is that it accounts for how
students “consciously” think as he/she processes information (Kolb, 1984). Rather than
attempting to follow a classroom model which urges students to learn through repetition,
guidelines and memorization, this model advances a new idea of how different triggers in the
brain allow students to shift learning to enhance critical thinking (Kolb, 1984). The importance
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 20
of this model and this portion of the paper is it introduces faculty members to a new standard of
learning when developing their course outline. Kolb’s learning style model (1984) is a great
resource for administrators, faculty and students to review when trying to reach student outcomes
(Jones et al., 2004). The model focuses on four areas in its cycle of learning which include: (a)
concrete experience (feeling), (b) reflective observation (watching), (c) abstract
conceptualization (thinking), and (d) active experimentation (doing) (Jones et al., 2004).
This model is important because each stage shows a variety of ways student’s process
information and what a student’s learning style may be. Learning styles are dependent on
personality types, area of study, career outlooks, and competencies (Kolb, 2005). The major
takeaway from both this model and the idea of service-learning experience is best quoted by
Kolb and Kolb (2009) stating the following, “learning style is not a psychological trait but a
dynamic state resulting from synergistic transactions between the person and the environment
similar to the spiraling process of interest development just described. This dynamic state arises
from an individual’s preferential resolution of the dual dialectics of experiencing-conceptualizing
and acting-reflecting” (p.315). More importantly, the goal of service-learning is to create
learning through active interaction. This model also helps display an opportunity for the student
to create their own interpretations and adjust them as needed. This model is intended to be
“transformational” and help push students to a multilayer of learning. To be successful in the
service-learning process you must feel, observe, think, and interpret which is all experienced
through multiple working relationships stretched outside one’s internal presence (Petkus, 2000).
The Kolb learning model (1984) takes into account both the environment and student,
creating a “dual” comparison of how each affect one another (Kolb, 1984). The idea of move
through a system that encourages observation, feeling, reflection and active engagement
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 21
encompasses a holistic style of learning in which service-learning is searching for (Jones et al.,
2004). What is important about the relationship of this model and service-learning is both aim to
work through a system of trial and error. Students are able to identify problems during the
concrete and reflective process and make changes during the abstract and active experimentation
stages (Jones et al., 2004). The Kolb learning model (1984) also allows learning to be an ongoing
process. Students may need to circle through all four processes several times before developing
an efficient result which they are comfortable with. Jones et al. (2004) mentions these model is
also beneficial because it allows different types of learners begin at different stages based on
their major or personal preference making this a universal model that can be applied to numerous
academic concentrations.
Motivation/purpose
Motivation and purpose are important components of learning, deciding how student
chose to respond to the requirements asked of them in the course (Tuckman, 2003). Without a
sense of motivation, students will never reach the expected learning outcomes (Tuckman, 2003).
According to a survey conducted by Bordelon and Phillips (2006), nearly 80 percent of the
students (87 total) polled at a mid-size university stated they have never participated in service-
learning prior to the class. Bordelon and Phillips (2006) believe a lack of incentives for both
faculty and students may be a possible theme across campuses for a lack of student interest. Even
though service-learning classes hold great opportunity for social and academic growth, many
student enroll into service-learning courses because they believe it is a GPA booster as grading is
based on competition opposed to comprehension (Gray et al., 2000; Kolenko et al., 1996).
Researchers have found although students are able to make more personal connections to
issues they might not see in the traditional classroom, they are still concerned about course load
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 22
and stress from time commitment when deciding whether or not to take a service-learning course
(Bringle & Hatcher, 1996; DeBard, 2004; Segal & Drew, 2012; Vega, 2007). Ward and Wolf-
Wendel (2000) acknowledge students are motived by different approaches to service-learning.
Some students are drawn to service-learning because they think they are doing some form of
charity while other students are more passionately involved by trying to fix social injustices
(Ward & Wolf-Wendel, 2000).
First-generation students have reported to highly benefit from service-learning as the
class provided high levels of motivation and enthusiasm which could be spread to additional
classes on their schedule (McKay & Estrella, 2008). A survey administered to a sample of
students (333 total) at a private university found higher levels of satisfaction for projected
learning outcomes were more positively reported by students who participated in service-
learning courses compared to those who did not in the following areas: (a) community
engagement, (b) academic engagement, (c) interpersonal engagement, (d) academic challenge,
(e) hours studied and (f) retention (Gallini & Moely, 2003).
Service-learning by major
Service-learning may differ across many academic concentrations and require various
approaches to meet the needs of the different learning styles. According to Campus Compact
(2013), the top 10 community issues addressed through campus programs from 2008-2012 were:
K-12 education, hunger, homelessness, poverty, mentoring, sustainability, tutoring, health care,
reading and writing and multiculturalism. Since 2008, diversity and healthcare service
opportunities has grown by nearly 20 percent from membership schools (Campus Compact,
2013). It is important to assess service-learning by major so there can be greater opportunities to
assert service-learning classes in less represented majors. It is important to evaluate service-
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 23
learning across a multitude of majors due to each academic department’s different styles of
application of being a “hard verse soft” academic concentration (Becher & Trowler, 2001). The
majority of service-learning is found with students studying education, healthcare and physical
sciences.
“Hard-pure fields (e.g., chemistry and physics) view knowledge as cumulative
and are concerned with universals, simplification, and quantification. Hard-
applied fields (e.g., engineering) make use of hard, pure knowledge to develop
products and techniques. Soft-pure fields (e.g., English) view knowledge as
iterative and are concerned with particularity and qualitative inquiry. Soft-
applied fields (e.g., education, management) make use of soft, pure
knowledge to develop protocols and heuristics.” (Butin, 2006, p. 479).
Scholars note reflection, one of the most important agreed upon process for students, can
be perceived in a number of different ways by major based on these “hard” and “soft” directions
of learning. Hard academic concentrations from the STEM fields often require students to omit
feelings or any attachments to the outcome, making it nearly impossible to have equal
applications to social affect for the work each student is doing (Moffat & Decker, 2000). More
specifically, uncontrolled emotion felt throughout the reflective process plays a vastly different
role across “hard” and “soft” majors as a lack of or an abundance of emotion can drastically alter
a student’s motivation or satisfaction for the course (Felten, Gilchrist & Darby, 2006).
A qualitative survey conducted by Ignatius University, found six of 11 business majors
altered their career aspirations based on a year-long service-learning program, stating traditional
academic programs previously failed to challenge them on issues past the readings while the
service-learning model was able to expand on more interesting practical applications such as the
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 24
effects business models may have on poverty in the community (Seider & Rabinowicz, 2011).
Guided by philosophical coursework, business specific service-learning programs have
introduced students to relevant “stakeholders” and positively affected their goodwill to conduct
ethical business that was not only for their gain but for those around them as well (Seider &
Rabinowicz, 2011). A 2011 consultant project assessment for business majors in a service-
learning class at Florida Gulf Coast University also found student’s involvement to positively
correlate to effective sustainability initiatives alongside community partners, leading to lower
costs, increased sales and alternatives to the company mission (Segal & Drew, 2012).
Students reported a high satisfaction of confidence for their learning outcomes as they
were able to have real professional experience with a client and contribute to business operations
(Segal & Drew, 2012). Vega (2007) additionally found business students reported high
satisfaction while working with the community, taking pride in the connections made with
individuals outside of the work such as sharing photos or stories. In comparison, findings suggest
more assessment of business-majors involved in service-learning needs to be conducted in order
to better measure goal orientation, time management and appropriate course load (Schlesinger &
Cohen, 2009; Segal & Drew, 2012; Seider & Rabinowicz, 2011; Vega, 2007). Education majors
(teachers) have found service-learning opportunities helped them break through “assumptions”
of working with intercity students, shifting a focus of “blame” on students to trying to meet their
“needs” (Baldwin, Buchanan & Rudisill, 2007).
It is no surprise students from different academic concentrations process information
differently. As faculty members begin to develop service-learning agendas it is important the
faculty member is doing personal evaluation to identify best approaches to enhance his/her area
of study opposed to taking from a universal idea. Faculty members should also review how they
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 25
plan to hold students accountable as both a group and individuals, encourage dialogue, challenge
or identify problems for students and create separate climates for times of active engagement
compared to space to process/reflect on their work (Smith et al., 2005). By taking time to
properly access and prepare a course for a students’ needs, the faculty member’s involvement
will be that of great enrichment for his/her students.
Faculty Involvement
Motivation/incentives
Scholars strongly state a failure to recognize a faculty member’s time and effort in
service-learning instruction will severely affect any possible growth to increase service-learning
opportunities throughout campus (Ward, 1998). Faculty members that are both supported by
university committees (where president’s, dean’s and department head’s set on) and recognized
through tenure, pay, research grants, awards, etc. stand as the best agents of success. According
to 2012 survey administered to 557 higher education institutions, a mere seven percent of all
faculty members taught some type of service learning course at their respected institution
(Campus Compact, 2013). Hinck and Brandell, (2000) add, roughly 100 national universities
were survey in a 1996 service-learning survey, “80 percent indicated that 10 percent or less of
the faculty are teaching service-learning courses,” (p.876) More alarming, as interest in service-
learning is rising among schools, involvement from faculty has failed to rise over seven percent
during the 2008-12 span. This trend is occurring even though rewards for faculty members
conducting service-learning have however rose from 48 percent (2008) to 68 percent (2012)
(Campus Compact, 2013). Additionally, sabbaticals for service-learning research, program
development and scholarship has risen from 19 percent (2008) to 33 percent (2012). Rewards
offered to faculty members generally consisted of funds to conduct professional development for
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 26
the course (78 percent) while only 39 percent institutions report they reward faculty with
incentives that are not service-learning-related (Campus Compact, 2004).
In a quantitative survey conducted by Abes and Jones (2002), 60 percent of 500 faculty
members surveyed stated interest for service-learning came from faculty members in other
departments and 37 percent said student’s personal development was a main driving force for
their decision to do service-learning. Furthermore, 39 percent said service-learning affected their
motivation in a negative way because it was time-intensive task and 25 percent stated it was
difficult to coordinate efforts with the community (Abes & Jones, 2002). According to the 2003
Campus Compact assessment, the key incentives offered for a faculty member’s service learning
involvement included: faculty workshops (76 percent) curriculum models available (74 percent)
and service learning conference expenses (60 percent). The 2003 Campus Compact assessment
also found support for faculty incentives were the lowest in the following areas: grants for
curriculum design (51 percent), service awards (39 percent), tenure/promotion consideration (27
percent), and student assistants (24 percent) (Campus Compact, 2003).
Curriculum
According to Campus Compact (2013), “62 percent of member campuses require service-
learning as part of the core curriculum of at least one major, up from 51 percent in 2010.” More
importantly, Abes and Jones (2002) state over half of faculty members surveyed on course
development claimed they did not know how to use service-learning efficiently in their
curriculum design and did not have the time to properly develop a meaningful syllabus outside of
their professional responsibilities. More interesting is the gap which persists of both the faculty’s
lack of knowledge to develop a thorough course outline and a student’s pre-course readiness.
Checkoway (2001) states only a small percentage of students are inclined to handle the needs of
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 27
the community on their own and require preparation from faculty members before entering the
service site. To answer this concern, Bringle and Hatcher (1996) created the Comprehensive
Action Plan for Service learning (CAPSL) table as a way to steer faculty in the right direction
when implementing a new service learning offering, delivering a model which will help faculty
members feel more confident about implementing a new course. CAPSL incorporates four levels
to review that affect the class installment (institution, faculty, students and community). Within
these four levels each is evaluated by 10 elements (planning, awareness, class prototype,
resources, expansion, recognition, monitoring, evaluation, research and institutionalization
(Bringle & Hatcher, 1996). Using these guidelines for CASPSL, faculty and university officials
are able to organize more specific goals by a school’s personal mission. Basic curriculum
parameters are also suggested to include the following: (a) development opportunities to sharpen
citizenship skills for both faculty and students, (b) create awareness of social change that allows
students to see their role in a larger setting, (c) explore co-facilitators such as community leaders
developing the objectives with the faculty and (d) strive to build off past service-learning classes
where students are able to be a part of an ongoing project that is rolled over year after year rather
than ending that semester (Seifer, 1998).
Scholars have suggested more ethical or social-based service-learning classes should be
offered as an elective course (Kolenko et al., 1996; Parker-Gwin & Mabry, 1998). By doing so
students are able to evaluate how the communal need is connected to academics. A more
advanced course would reverse that idea and focus more on how the academics tie into the
communal need (Kolenko et al., 1996; Parker-Gwin & Mabry, 1998). Though voluntary
offerings for students to enroll in service-learning have proven to be successful, research has
found the majority of students who enter into voluntary service-learning classes have had
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 28
previous community service experience and generally already have a strongly established view
of social justice and privilege. Scholars have found students who are placed in required service
learning classes are forced to think differently than they have before in the past, resulting in the
higher probability of positive occurrences. Student’s motivation and views on service have been
known to change once enrolled in the course, and an initial disinterest in service-learning does
not mean a student will keep this same mentality throughout the course.
Required service-learning courses for graduation may not always lead a student to
develop required learning outcomes for social justice, but it will expose them to a new wave of
learning with their peers, giving an option to view their values with others so they have to take a
stance on how they feel about the experience (Speck, 2001). If anything, required service
learning increases a student’s options to see the world in a different lens and rarely has it been
found to digress their views in a more negative manner from being put in the position to do
service. Results suggest students’ academic comprehension is also strongest at the work site and
applications to the coursework is actually best served when there is immediate discussion on site
(Parker-Gwin & Marbry, 1998). Findings encourage faculty members to arrange their curriculum
in a way where students are in control of their own application to the academic framework from
the social issues they encountered in the field. By giving a student ownership to explore the
course in the way they wish, there is less of an overwhelming feeling for students to meet
specific academic requirements in order to proof competency. Objectives should be clear and
concise but, also open to different degrees of open reflection based on a student’s experience.
The goal of service-learning is to allow service to be the most important aspect of the
program (Weigert, 1998). Though focus is placed on the development of learning from actually
doing the service, objectivities should be properly outlined to give students somewhat of a
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 29
boundary to the relationship of their work to the course (Weigert, 1998). Faculty members
should also give students opportunity to grow in their academic pursuits by offering extension
journaling, writing prompts and questions so there is a way to measure one’s development.
Grading in service learning should not be graded through a competitive bell curve but rather
viewed on an individual basis which measures the level of comprehension apart from anyone in
the class. Students should not be limited to specific answers, but they should be able to display a
proof of continual improvement from their experiences (Weigert, 1998).
Establishing partnerships
Kenworthy-U’Ren, (2008) notes “trust” among the community partner and the university
yields as one of the most important factors when building new or on-going relationships.
Kenworrthy-U’Ren (2008) argue faculty members need to communicate a long-term plan during
the initial contact with the partner rather than basing the program on a semester-to-semester
outlook. Cushman (2002) suggests the best way to build a meaningful relationship with a
community partner is to show your intent early. Faculty members are encouraged to attend
company meetings, review company plans, conduct interviews and show interest before
introducing students to the partnership (Cushman, 2002). Using Campus Compacts (1998)
suggestions for partnerships, Jacoby (2003) recommends the following for producing lasting and
valuable community partnerships: identify common values and a shared vision, strive to develop
solutions to multifaceted problems and challenge each other to move past simplicity, set out clear
and flexible outcomes, share credit with all parties involved, balance the authority so that one
group is not in complete control and encourage active communication and feedback throughout
the process.
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 30
One of the best ways to have a successful partnership is allowing the community partner
the platform to offer advice or suggestions to the curriculum which best meet the needs of all
parties involved (Wade, 1997). Community partners should also be invited on-campus to lecture
students in the classroom or sent invitations to connect with students outside of the actual
service-learning site so there is a level of commitment shown by everyone involved of extra
effort to be in changing environments (Gelmon, 2003). Applegate and Morreale (1999) strongly
advocate for establishing mutual respect, partnerships without respect the partnership will
eventually fail. The partner should feel just as involved in the experience as the faculty and
students do. The relationship can be best thought of a democracy that strives to have clear
channels of communication in times of disagreement.
As shown above, the faculty have an important role in the success of the service-learning
experience. Faculty incentives should be explored in order to better compensate the work they
are doing. Faculty members should also spend more time developing a service-learning
curriculum compared other traditional classes they teach. They should also reach out to
university officials to explore how to present the classes in course catalogs (electives, required).
Finally, faculty members should make a commitment to strength community partnerships from
year to year.
Institutionalism
Why Should Administrators Care About Service-Learning?
Service-learning is a growing phenomenon among many competitive universities that
cannot be ignored. According to Shumer and Cook (1999), “almost 2 million students
participate in service-learning at 4 year public and private institutions … in the last 15 years
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 31
school-based programs have proliferated by almost 3700 percent,” (p. 7-8). In a time where
budget cuts are prevalent there are still numerous reasons why institutions should be making
investments into service-learning. One of these reasons is first-year student retention. As first-
year students struggle to find their place on a college campus, active learning with peers outside
of a traditional setting builds comradery and an allegiance to the university, helping give students
involved in the program a sense of belonging or pride in his/her reasoning to being a part of the
campus (Tinto, 1999). What is special about service-learning is the effect it has on a student’s
attitude. During service-learning a student is able to feel, experience and challenge new
perspectives by their own personal narrative. This attitude is something you cannot teach in most
traditional courses because it is experienced based. In order to create student populations that
have a shift in attitude for academics, universities should allow students the opportunity to let
students learn in these settings (Moely et al., 2002). By doing so graduation, retention rates and
commitment for the university will be elevated (Kuh et al., 2008). Service-learning also builds
significance in a student’s academic pursuits as the service-learning class allows students the
opportunity to foster a sense of responsibility to learning past the paper and pen (Hinck &
Brandell, 2000). This shows service-learning opportunities increase commitment and dedication
to the course among students.
Service-learning also allows opportunities for students to explore their career path,
elevating their passion for their area of study by being able to actively transfer classroom
knowledge into accelerated results for the community (Dubinsky, 2002). Service-learning has
also repeatedly shown how students’ academic performance is rising based on their involvement.
Gray et al. (2000) mention grades generally rise in service-learning courses because students
usually devote more time to the course and apply themselves more. Overall, students mixing
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 32
course work and civic engagement into their learning experience creates a better-rounded student
and universities who strive to incorporate citizenship into their universal framework should
support these types of classes.
Provided support
One of the initial problems administers face when trying to actively engage in service-
learning initiatives is properly identifying the student population which participate in service-
learning. Universities have been found to mislabel the ever-changing demographics that are
found today in our classrooms such as non-traditional students, veterans, or those who hold the
responsibility of parenthood (Butin, 2006). In a 2004 pilot study administered by Prentice
(2007), 32 percent of students who participated in service-learning were at least 25 years old.
Clearly, there is evidence of a need to better serve non-traditional students (age, military status).
Additionally, many universities have overlooked the vast concentration of academic programs on
their campus as each college or major need a variety of support based on their learning models
rather than rolling out one simple service-learning support system (Gronski & Pigg, 2000).
Ways universities can be more effective to support faculty members is devoting resources to
assess the true community need. Each community, based in their specific geographic location,
requires assistance which may not be found in other successful service-learning programs across
regions (natural disaster, economy change, resources for underrepresented groups, etc.) which
must be addressed (Schwartzman, 2007).
Furco (1999) introduced a “self-assessment rubric to help university officials lay a
foundation to better meet the exact problems (as cited by Schwartzman, 2007). According to
Furco (1999), the major components to focus on in the institutionalism phrase are coordinating,
policy making, staffing, funding, administrative support and evaluation and assessment.
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 33
Furthermore, universities can provide support by being active in identifying comparable interests
among administrators and community members so both can be joined by a passion of “empathy”
(Ward & Wolf-Wendel, 2000). By doing so, service-learning takes on the form of a meaningful
relationship rather than a completion of a task. Five-hundred faculty members surveyed across
26 universities stated program discussion (67 percent), access and assistance to professional
conferences or committees (55 percent) and investments in internal develop (51 percent) were
the most effective forms of university support offered to faculty members teaching service-
learning (Abes, Jackson & Jones, 2002). Deans and presidents also have a duty to be available
for faculty members through on-going communication of need so that the service-learning
programs can have a presence in discussions surrounding funding allocation, campus priorities
and long-term advancement meeting in which faculty member may not have access to (Vogel,
Seifer & Gelmon, 2010).
Other support offered at some universities includes: (a) social events such as sponsored
dinners with administrators, students and faculty, (b) helping develop advertisement or
promotional material to showcase success or awareness, (c) offering a “learning fair” which is
separate from a student organization fair where students can have open dialogue with an
assortment of passionate students or faculty members and (d) making the decision to hire an
individual to supervise all service-learning programs so there is a defined presence of
centralization (Burrows, et al. 1999).
Funding
Service-learning had been argued as being both financially too costly and time
consuming for faculty member to support on their own (Myers-Lipton, 1998). Put into
perspective of a larger university-wide comparison, both the community service office and the
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 34
service-learning office budgets tend to be less than $20,000 at most American universities
(Campus Compact, 2003). Uncontested, the main factor facing service-learning advancements is
funding. Funding for campus projects is also broadly broken up in to “soft” (gifts and grants) and
“hard” (state funds, tuition and fees, endowments funding) funding streams. The more successful
campuses who were able to maintain service-learning programs were those who found ways to
gather “hard” money within the university its self (Young et al., 2007).
In the Young et al. (2007) study on service-learning programs, “three out of the seven
indicated that the grants (soft money) they received accounted for only 5-10 % of their operating
budgets and the money was primarily used for a slush fund or creative activities” (p. 355).
Bringle and Hatcher (2000) also found institutions that were committed to hiring consulting
firms to help university officials put together a structured plan stood at being the most successful
at developing strong service-learning offerings. Morton and Troppe (1996) further report 64
percent of universities who pursued discussion with consulting firms that provided training
programs or seminars upheld roughly an $82,000 average for service-learning assistance within
the university’s operating budget. Eyler (2002) also adds faculty members need to be supplied
with funding so they have access to “practical resources.”
Long-term planning
Bringle and Hatcher (2000) suggest the following areas to considering when attempting
to enact a campus-wide service-learning program, “(a) conduct regular strategic planning, (b)
establishing and developing a centralized office not only to recruit but also to develop each of the
four constituencies, (c) increasing institutional budget commitments to support the development
of service-learning; and (d) vesting the commitment service learning with leadership that
establishes and maintains academic integrity,” (p.288). More specifically, community partners
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 35
have admitted their experience and comfort to engage with a large research university was more
at ease with those colleges that had a centralized office compared to programs ran solely by
untenured faculty members (Weerts & Sandmann, 2008). In a surveyed which interviewed
faculty members from three larger research universities stated administrators service-learning but
failed to provided funding streams or allow further “course releases” (Lambright & Alden,
2012). This problem to me seems as one of the biggest problems to investing true meaningful
approaches to long-term planning for universities. Two different messages are being
communicated here. The university is saying we care about this area of academic, but not to the
point to enhance it. This can come off as extremely discouraging to faculty members in my view.
John Kotter, Harvard Business School Professor, created an eight step plan for
organizations in transition which could help steer universities who are attempting to upgrade
their service-learning experience. Kotter’s eight linear steps include the following:
(a)”establishing a sense of urgency, (b) forming a power guiding coalition, (c) creating a vision,
(d) communicating the vision, (e) empowering others to act on the vision, (f) planning for and
creating short-term wins, (g) consolidating improvements and producing still more change and
(h) institutionalizing new approaches (Kotter, 1995, p. 61)
The connection between these eight steps and the administrator/faculty relationships falls
under steps 5-8. University administrators’ success by creating a vision, urgency, expected
outcomes from the vision, but seem to stop at empowerment. State earlier, faculty members state
they do not feel supported. They admit the university supports the idea of service-learning but it
fails to do anything beyond that. Faculty members are not empowered because a commitment to
funding and incentives is scarce. There is a lack of reward structure such as promotion or pay
during step six (celebrating short-term wins). There is not a desire to make improvements (step
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 36
seven) based on the initiative to hire more staff for service-learning or even work towards
creating a centralized office. The bottom line of this comparison is the university needs to be
more involved and colleges need to stop using budget cuts as a way to cover up their limited
involvement. Universities need to create service-learning planning committees that involve both
the administrators and the faculty. This committee could be run through the Faculty Senate and
communicated up with the university president. In Furco’s (1996) self-assessment rubric for the
institutionalization of service-learning in higher education, Furco (1996) states, policy making,
funding, staffing, coordinating and assessment are all a part of the university’s responsibilities
and they need to take responsibility for each of these. A reoccurring theme in university
implementation is funding. Findings from Young et al. (2007) also show a disparity in funding.
“Not a single service-learning program covered in our study operated solely or even
primarily on grant money, which seems to indicate that while grant money can assist in starting
up a service-learning program, it is not a viable means for keeping it running. If the goal of
program directors is to ensure the viability, longevity, and institutionalization of service
learning at their institutions, then attempting to operate using exclusively soft money, with the
restrictions typically placed on it and the unreliability of securing it, is undesirable and unlikely
to lead to the achievement of goals” (Young et al., 2007, p. 362)
Jeandron and Robinson (2010) re-enforce colleges have a duty to provide financial
support, administrators needs to be more active in student-community partner gatherings on-site,
provide a commitment to service-learning and a language of dedication in faculty orientation/ job
descriptions and educate donors on opportunities to donate to service-learning. Overall,
universities, need to evaluate funding streams to support service-learning courses and dedicate
time to create long-term planning.
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 37
Discussion
The findings from this literature strongly suggest service-learning has more positive
effects on students than it does negatively. However, it is important to take notice of the negative
effects service-learning can have on a student and work towards improving potential downfalls
for the student’s academic, personal and civic development (Astin et al., 2000).
Throughout all service-learning definitions, the reflection process stands alone as one of
the most important components of service-learning (Bringle & Hatcher, 1999; Eyler, 2002;
Waterman, 2014). Faculty members should continue to seek out ways to improve the reflective
process by using Kolb’s (1984) learning model as a guide. Scholars strongly state a failure to
recognize a faculty member’s time and effort in service-learning instruction will severely affect
any possible growth to increase service learning opportunities throughout campus (Ward, 1998).
It is vital faculty members have extensive support and have assistance in developing a sound
curriculum. Basic curriculum parameters are also suggested to include the following: (a)
development opportunities to sharpen citizenship skills for both faculty and students, (b) create
awareness of social change that allows students to see their role in a larger setting, (c) explore
co-facilitators such as community leaders developing the objectives with the faculty and (d)
strive to build off past service-learning classes where students are able to be a part of an ongoing
project that is rolled over year after year rather than ending that semester (Seifer, 1998).
Community partners should have an active place in the curriculum. Community partners
should also be invited on-campus to lecture students in the classroom or sent invitations to
connect with students outside of the actual service-learning site so there is a level of commitment
shown by everyone involved of extra effort to be in changing environments (Gelmon, 2003).
Applegate and Morreale (1999) strongly advocate for establishing mutual respect, partnerships
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 38
without respect the partnership will eventually fail. Finally, long-term planning initiatives should
be a top priority. Furco’s (1996) self-assessment rubric for the institutionalization of service
learning in higher education, Furco (1996) states, policy making, funding, staffing, coordinating
and assessment are all a part of the university’s responsibilities and they need to take
responsibility for each of these.
My personal experience (Public Relations Class)
I can speak personally to the effects service-learning can have on a student due to my
involvement in a course during my undergraduate years. I participated in a service-learning
course my junior year at Bowling Green State University. The public relations course was
offered through the School of Journalism and modeled a working public relations firm. What I
appreciated about the course is it was a small class size with a lot of accountability. Each student
was assigned a position in this makeshift public relations firm. The class was graded based on
the performance as a whole group rather than assigning individual grades. This encouraged us to
work together and really hold each other responsible. Our assignment was to create a free public
relations campaign for a non-profit community partner. Some students were voted to serve in
leadership roles such as president and brand managers while others held supporting roles like a
real firm would have.
Everyone involved was active in committees such as those who did assessment, branding,
advertising and print. My motivation in this service-learning course was much higher than others
that academic term. My motivation was high because we all saw the class as being fun. We
didn’t know where we were going with the course or where we would end up and the
possibilities of what it could be was exhilarating. Not only did it allow us to build a professional
portfolio from the work we did it also allowed us to contribute to something rather than trying to
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 39
meet the requirements of the course to pass. Our professor was extremely hands off and allowed
us to work on disagreements on our own which I truly appreciated. I liked the experience
because the class was in control of the outcome for the client, not the professor. I did feel a sense
of ownership for our work and felt we did extremely quality work because we knew very few
students in our program were able to take advantage of this course. Speaking with our campus
partner and personally hearing their voice of concern was high motivation for me.
The work I did was viewed as something that could create change for the partner and it
was fulfilling. Our class reflected throughout the experience through personal journaling and
classroom discussion. I truly felt it prepared me for the major I was in and did give me
confidence in my higher public relation classes because we learned real-life concepts through
that experience which students in our later classes only learned through a book. I felt ahead of
the game and most rewarding is we were able to make an impact for a campus partner who did
not have the budget to pay for work we provided. Speaking with our campus partners and seeing
their appreciation make the work worthwhile. I remember we all received an “A” in the course,
but the biggest takeaway was I was able to learn in a group for the community in need and see
out hard work make an impact. That type of learning only motivated me further for my area of
study. O'Meara & Niehaus (2009) suggest faculty members to take on the role of supports rather
than facilitators, allowing the community partner and the student to be a joined educator for the
process. My professor followed this process and by doing so it allowed me to stretch my ideas
farther than I ever have because I was reaching for my own satisfaction for service rather than
attempting to meet the goal of the course.
New Policy Suggestion
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 40
Based on the findings from the literature review several suggestions from a policy
standpoint can be made. Universities, even in times of budget cuts, must explore funding streams
to support service-learning classes. I suggest university officials should create a committee that is
composed of each college’s academic dean. By doing so, departments can best determine what
programs and faculty members are available for course section. This committee will meet twice a
year with key university officials (i.e. president, vice provosts, etc.) in order to determine how
funds can be allocated across several if not all academic concentrations. This committee will also
present during faculty governance meetings as a way to hear from faculty members.
I also suggest universities to work with endowment fund controllers in order to create
potential investments portfolios for service-learning opportunities. Donors and controllers should
be in active conversation about the financial need to support service-learning opportunities.
Alumni associations should collaborate with the academic deans committee in order to best
advertise or present the positives of service-learning to potential donors. I suggest universities to
also explore funding through segregated fees. As I mentioned before, service-learning should be
spread out to all academic concentrations on campus. With an equal opportunity for all students
to be involved in service-learning this portion will be accessed in the instructional fees, allowing
each academic department a share of the funds. I also suggest universities to invest in hiring
individuals for grant writing. Based on the finding from Bringle and Hatcher (2000), I agree that
universities should also hire outside consulting firms to assess the developments of the service-
learning plan. A policy should be put into place and outside consulting firm will review the
centralized service-learning programs bi-annually. By doing do the firm will be able to evaluate
how the university is as stewards for funding. Additionally they will evaluate student
performance and satisfaction from the course.
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 41
Service-learning, if it is not already, should be implemented into each university’s
academic core. Students should be exposed to service-learning by both elective offerings and
required courses. Elective courses of service-learning should be offered to first or second year
students. Required courses should be offered to junior or senior level students after they have
matriculated into their major. Prior to graduation, a student should be required to participate in a
service-learning course within their major. In order to meet the demand for these courses faculty
members will be provided incentives for teaching the course. These incentives would include
bonuses, vacation days and award banquets. Faculty and students who participate in service-
learning should be recognized by the university. University public relation teams should work to
activity promote the dedication of each faculty member.
Future Implications
Service-learning is still trying to find its identity in the higher education curriculum.
Future studies should focus on gathering data on long-term community affects from service-
learning. Literature on service-learning should take into account not only how the student is
affected by the experience but how the community experiences the work with the university as
well. Many of the studies conducted on service-learning fail to detail or access how community
partnerships can be better sustained. As it can be seen in the literature successful service-learning
projects allow community partners to have active involvement. Studies should additionally
conduct more longitudinal studies on how a service-learning course has affected a student’s
academic or social perceptions. While looking into social perceptions researchers should access
how social justice and diversity can be better included into the service-learning course. Though
social justice is discussed several times, there is a still a lingering doubt of how to implement
social justice initiatives into the course through action not by simply good faith. Scholars should
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 42
press on to see how social justice can be more a part of the learning process. Researchers should
also continue to evaluate faculty perceptions on funding, incentives and motivation.
EXPLORING SERVICE-LEARNING 43
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