In public services delivery, action learning is increasingly employed in the hope of improving capacity to address complex, multi-casual and "wicked" social issues to improve the lives of citizens. Yet the understanding of how and why action learning might have potential for enhancing organizational or systemic capability rarely goes…

Postsecondary institutions are in a unique position to help alleviate social problems. Service learning, which integrates community service and academic study, is an active pedagogy of involvement that takes students beyond monocultural campus settings to multicultural community contexts. A University of Montana teacher-education class that places…

Describes how Red Bridge Elementary (Kansas City, Missouri) participated in the "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle--Make a Difference in Our Community" campaign that coincided with the 1998 Make a Difference Day Campaign. Discusses the project, including the planning, publicity, donation collection, donation distribution, and campaign results.…

The University of Oklahoma's Price College of Business has implemented an integrated core curriculum that relies on engaging students in business-world experiences to provide a conceptual basis for integration of a wide range of concepts. Experience is gained through two projects--creation and management of a start-up company (funded by a loan)…

Outlines a high school campaign to increase community awareness of the problems of homeless people. Describes student efforts to research the facts and circulate their findings through flyers, posters, letters, speeches, and radio spots. Offers cautionary suggestions for teachers supervising similar projects. (SV)

Most college curricula are matched by professional counterparts in state and federal governments. A program of public service internships can serve the liberal arts by bringing them together. The Albany (New York) Semester Program places students in full-time 15-week internships with state agencies. (MSE)

Describes efforts of the National Society for Experiential Education (NSEE), including the National Community Development Program. NSEE advocates use of all forms of experiential learning in the education system and community, including service learning. It enhances professional growth of members, disseminates information on principles of good…

Maintains that many educators have recommended that public school students need to develop social action skills and participate in community service programs. Discusses student volunteer participation in community food service programs. Provides recommendations for teachers about developing such programs. (CFR)

Discusses the role of middle-school children supported by the community in organizing a project to feed needy children: running the project, and providing an educational activity prior to each meal. Describes academic outcomes of project, such as developing skills in language arts, math, and creative problem solving; and learning about nutrition.…

Profiles the accomplishments and philosophies of three individuals who strongly advocated community service and who profoundly influenced the field of experiential education, including Robert K. Greenleaf, author of "Servant Leadership"; Alec Dickson, who traveled extensively to promote the development of community service organizations…

Proposes a role for experiential learning in the training of political-science doctoral students. Argues that most political science programs assume that students have mastered liberal democratic norms and do not need training for non-academic employment. Bases its arguments for experiential learning on the Maryland Graduate Public Service…

This paper discusses service learning, arguing that the pedagogy of service learning offers a framework in which students can remember and apply more of what they learn than in traditional content based and faculty centered curriculum. Service learning strategies recognize that we retain 60% of what we do, 80% of what we do with guided reflection,…

The author, who is the President of Miami-Dade Community College (MDCC), Florida, argues that the fundamental purpose of MDCC is to preserve democracy. MDCCs open-door policy makes it possible for those who might otherwise be excluded from higher education to gain a college education, which then makes it possible for them to become active,…

Describes community experiential education programs that empower local citizens to work with city planners in deciding the future direction of their urban neighborhoods. Questions whether such programs are true catalysts for social change when participants return to their home environments without a support system that values or utilizes learned…

Presents 10 ideas for service learning projects designed for elementary schools. Includes having students do local history projects complete with interviews and artifacts, learn about community volunteering, interact with the elderly, care for the environment, recycle materials, and hold canned food drives. (MJP)