Preservice teachers, social workers, and counselors studied resilience while performing service-learning projects in Wisconsin elementary/middle schools. Middle school teachers conducted service-learning projects in their classrooms. The college students gained valuable knowledge about teaching and ways to foster resilience in children. (SK)

Study represents evolving research on service-learning and the ability of the Community Service Involvement Preference Inventory (CSIPI) to measure how students prefer to become involved in community service. Results suggest that the CSIPI may lend itself to advancing empirical arguments for transforming service from an extracurricular activity to…

Examines the theoretical bases of academic service learning, with particular attention to John Dewey's contributions. Conceptualizes the service learning movement as part of an ongoing, and still unsuccessful, effort to "de-Platonize" and democratize American higher education in articular and American schooling in general. (Author/MSE)

The superintendent of the Hudson Public Schools in Massachusetts describes educators' challenges to educate disaffected and disaffiliated youth. Recent research shows that prosocial behavior is stimulated by unity of one's sense of self and one's morality, sense of connectedness to others, and sense of meaning arising from contributing to…

Defines community service learning. Discusses its importance to business and higher education. Describes three community service learning projects involving three departments in the college business curriculum: (1) partnering among public schools, junior achievement, and management classes; (2) between nonprofit organizations and computer…

At their weekly school meeting, all members of a Massachusetts elementary school come together to build community and to celebrate one another. Each week, 20 to 40 parents show up, often with toddlers, sometimes with grandparents. Participants pledge the flag, sing songs, recognize students' birthdays, make announcements, and enjoy student…

A field experience involving community service learning was linked to multicultural education for preservice teachers. Results suggest that community service learning motivated, engaged, and gratified community leaders, tapping into local community associations. The spirit of shared control recognized the strength of a pluralistic…

Notes that as service learning becomes a popular pedagogical approach in technical and professional writing courses, instructors need to examine critically the causes of practical problems that arise when classroom work involves nonprofit agencies. Notes that reflection may help students understand the problems they encountered, but it will not…

This qualitative, interpretive case study used ethnographic techniques to explore preservice teachers' experience of service learning in a multicultural education course. Three roles and perspectives related to multicultural learning are described and analyzed: playing it safe, teacher/helper, and companionship. The study concluded that preservice…

Explains that service learning began as a way to help provide students with a better sense of civic and social responsibility, and has developed into a process enabling students to feel more connected with their communities. Lists benefits from enrollment in service-learning programs, including enhanced self-esteem, leadership abilities, spiritual…

Introduces a theme issue, discussing the journal's purposes and evolution, and reviewing historical landmarks related to service learning research. Reviews the articles within this issue, discussing planned next steps, and concludes with a call for service learning research efforts to broaden the knowledge and practice bases and further expand the…

Research emphasizes the impact of service learning on college students' development. Less evidence exists of its cognitive impact. To improve academic learning quality, researchers must identify intellectual outcomes best facilitated through service learning, create measures of these outcomes to embed into instructional processes, and conduct…

Discusses reasons for the lack of research on the community dimensions of service learning, noting that community-focused research is possible. Presents a four-dimensional model for doing research with community partners on the process and outcomes of community service learning, arguing that it should emphasize the community-university partnership…

Highlights three areas of research on the relationships between college service learning and citizenship. Discusses the need to: understand relationships between different approaches to service learning and conceptions of good citizenship; connect service learning research to scholarly issues and frameworks from related disciplines; and examine…

Advocates for studies designed to promote understanding of how service learning fits with the historical traditions and norms, key concerns and perspectives, and basic assumptions of the various academic disciplines. This agenda can only be successfully addressed by enlisting the active cooperation of national and regional disciplinary and…