Preservice teachers' constructions of meaning within a multicultural education course are explored in this study. The study considers whether prior expectations have an impact on service learning, what meanings preservice teachers make from service learning, and whether reflection has an influence on meaning making. This interpretive case study…

Based on a recent community-based research project with injured workers, identifies challenges faced when academics engage in community-based research based at a university, including dealing with the constraints and requirements of academic research funding, bridging the goals of academics and community members, and functioning within the…

The case of Colgate University is used to argue that community-based research can be a vibrant and effective form of service learning, especially in rural communities. However, community-based research is difficult to execute well. There is little flexibility and high consequences for failed projects. As such, community-based research requires…

The University of Jordan is the first national university established in Jordan. Although first established in a suburban and secluded area of the capital Amman, the continuous urban development in its vicinity has led to excessive delays and traffic congestion on its surrounding street network. As a result, the University's administration…

The impact of the Conservation and Youth Services Corps on communities and program participants was evaluated by studying eight corps programs, which were located in the following areas: Washington State; New York City; Greater Miami, Florida; Santa Clara, California; Boston, Massachusetts; Camden County, New Jersey; Baltimore, Maryland; and…

The selections in this volume explain how, through service learning, residential living, community work, and student organizations, students can become leaders and more effective citizens. The chapters are: (1) "An Interview with Helen S. Astin" (Kathleen N. McMahon); (2) "The Emergence of Inclusive, Process-Oriented Leadership" (Shannon K. Faris…

Service learning is an innovation gaining momentum in U.S. education. A case study was conducted to learn how and why one teacher in a first-year, grant-funded service learning program, cosponsored by an inner-city school district, used literacy in the classroom. Semistructured interviews and classroom observations were used over an 8-month period…

The "Lasting Engagement" series presents case studies of institutions of higher education that have succeeded in institutionalizing their commitment to community engagement. This introductory volume looks at an institution with a rich history. Springfield College, Springfield, Massachusetts, has been guided, since its beginnings in 1885,…

This compilation includes practical and transferable principles that can be used by service-learning practitioners. The 39 case studies and personal essays in the compilation are organized around critical issues in strengthening long-term institutional and community support for K-12 service-learning programs. Each article describes how the issue…

Examines the effectiveness of service learning as a pedagogy through a case study of one of the oldest continuously operating service learning programs, the Joint Educational Project at the University of Southern California. (EV)

Describes an externally funded program that enabled twelve urban elementary schools to expand community outreach by hiring community residents and a program coordinator who worked with service agencies and teachers to develop a wide variety of activities catering to students and neighborhood members. One school's program is profiled. (Author/MSE)

Projects based in the community give students the opportunity to engage in investigation as scientists and apply their work to make a difference at home. Community-based projects allow for easy implementation of high-end inquiry in the science classroom. When students become involved in research based in authentic community problems they gain a…

This paper takes a specific university Department of Romance Languages as a case study to examine how the measures it adopted in view of increasing enrollment in Spanish in the nineties coincide with the recommendations in the MLA's 2007 report; it also examines how they have fared after some 12 years of implementation, advances explanations for…

Fresh Youth Initiative (FYI) is a youth development organization based in the Washington Heights-Inwood section of Manhattan. The group's mission is to support and encourage the efforts of neighborhood young people and their families to design and carry out community service and social action projects, develop leadership skills, fulfill their…

The prominence of experiential learning or service learning continues to grow in higher education. A 1999-2000 survey found that of 324 universities and colleges across the United States, 82% offer over 7,000 undergraduate level courses and over 700 graduate level courses in experiential or service learning. This paper considers the role of…