Friday, February 12, 2010

New Research Documents Positive Impacts of Service-Learning

Dear Colleagues:

 

A new research brief from the American Association of Community Colleges, "Improving Student Learning Outcomes with Service Learning," reveals that students who participate in service-learning score higher on institutional learning outcomes such as critical thinking, communication, civic responsibility, academic development, and educational success. Service-learners also saw themselves as more competitive in the job market than those who did not have service-learning experience.

 

In addition, 85 percent of these students believed that service-learning should be practiced in more courses at their colleges, and 87 percent would encourage other students to take courses that offer service learning.

 

The 16-page brief summarizes the findings and implications of a three-year study at 10 colleges that participated in AACC's 2006-2009 grant program, Community Colleges Broadening Horizons through Service-Learning.  More than 2,300 students and 68 faculty across a variety of disciplines participated in end-of-course surveys and focus groups.

 

The entire text of the research brief may be found on AACC's website at

www.aacc.nche.edu/Resources/aaccprograms/horizons/Documents/slorb_jan2010.pdf

 

Visit AACC's main website at www.aacc.nche.edu/servicelearning for other publications, resources, curriculum tools, and listings of upcoming conferences and events.  

 

AACC's service learning initiative is supported by the Learn and Serve America program of the Corporation for National and Community Service.  If you have any questions or comments, please contact:

 

Gail Robinson

Program Director for Service Learning

American Association of Community Colleges

One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 410

Washington, DC 20036

202 728 0200 ext. 254

grobinson@aacc.nche.edu

www.aacc.nche.edu/servicelearning

 

AACC - the voice of community colleges

 

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About Me

The CalServe Network posts news and updates of interest to the service-learning field in California. News and updates are drawn from the CalServe List Serve and the National K-12 Service-Learning List Serve and various other sources.