Post on 26-Dec-2015
Service Learning Definitions
“Definitions vary considerably…- Skinner and Chapman (1999)
More than 147 definitions
- Kendall (1990) Some grouped in SL philosophy SL pedagogy of education
Some purely nominal
Theoretical framework: ELSL Definitions
1. It is an experience or that it is experiential [theory] with the aim of
2. a social justice goal;
3. can be educative if it can be
4. understood [reflection] while trying to establish that social balance.
Dewey’s philosophy establishes certain
characteristics for SL:
ISL Definition
“International service learning is an educational methodology
in which students' learning of a subject/s occurs in a foreign
context while interacting with the host community and
meeting a host country's community need. The learning
occurs through reflecting/refracting around the experience
which aims to promote understanding of the circumstances
underlying the host community’s needs and on some
occasions providing alternative solutions to ameliorate that
particular community need.”
- Pagano, 2006
Goals of ISL To enhance the academic content of the course
through interaction with the host community To develop intercultural Knowledge To learn to be intercultural proficient To learn specific issues in the host culture To develop critical thinking skills through
reflection pedagogy To fully interact with the host community To develop group goals that build community To aim to reach the “reciprocity” concept Other
ISL Models: Academics
Discipline Based
Problem Basedor Seminar
Capstone Course
SL Internship?
SL Research?
Key Elements of ISLHost Community/
Host Country
Curriculum
Service Learning Center
International Programs/Study Abroad Office
Provider
Student
Faculty
ISL Element’s AnalysesCurriculum
Course
Learning Goals Pedagogy Teaching Materials
Knowledge of subject matter
Problem Solving Skills
Intercultural Knowledge
Intercultural Proficiency
Host community context
Reciprocity Group goals
ISL Pedagogy: Reflection Reflection:
The act of reflecting or the state of being reflected. Something, such as light, radiant heat, sound, or an
image, that is reflected. Mental concentration; careful consideration. A thought or an opinion resulting from such
consideration
Reflection-Refraction Reflection in Education
Dewey: Vehicle to think about our experiences
Critical Thinking: the mental process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information to reach an answer or conclusion
Refraction Refraction: The turning or bending of any
wave, such as a light or sound wave, when it passes from one medium into another of different optical density.
De-fantasize fate!
Levels of Thought Analysis in II and ISL: Towards RefractionREFLECTION CRITICAL THINKING REFRACTION
Starts a dialogue Weights viewpoints Alternative solutions
Recollection Revises clarifies
Passive Passive/aggressive Active
Accepts Questions Defines
Old materials Past and present materials New material
Individual perspective Alternative perspectives Integrates all perspectives
Personal Concerns with others Public
Reviews Scrutinizes Selects
Monocultural Multicultural Intercultural
Individual Makes connections with others Engages with others and scholarship
Search First step in providing evidence Unmasks paradigms *Uncovers situations
Refraction
Assessment and EvaluationKnowledge
Subject MatterContext
SkillsAbility to look at alternative perspectiveAbility to interact with the host culture
AttitudesWillingness to seek out international or intercultural opportunitiesAccepts cultural differences and tolerates cultural ambiguity
Refraction: Teamwork What types of assignments? What features do assignments need? What logistics need to take place? Other
ISL and II Refraction Examples Essay Multiple choice Journal Portfolios Presentations Community Analysis
Research Papers Role-plays Related Story Telling Video Diary Learning Logs Re-entry activity*
ISL and II Refraction Examples
Steps in the thinking process that leads to learning goals in an experiential learning situation
ISL: Environmental Issues ExampleReflection/Critical Thinking
After:“I drew the river with different colors. I drew
the Tapajos river with brown to show its true color and then the Amazon in blue. The Tapajos River is a tributary of the Amazon. I mixed both colors where they get together. People here depend heavily on the river for anything they do. I never knew parts of the river are so polluted and it is creating so many problems for so many communities. We need to take this into consideration and start prosecuting the responsible for so much pollution. It does not seem that much is done about that…”
ISL: Environmental Issues ExampleCritical Thinking/Refraction “The tapajos river is an effluent of the
Amazon river, the second largest river in the world. There is increasing concern about the potential neurotoxic effects of exposure to methylmercury for the 6 million people living in the Amazon, even in regions situated far away from the gold mines (garimpos), considered to be the major source of mercury pollution….
Refraction“A list of actions we can take regarding pollution
are hard to reach, considering the widespread corruption in the Amazon region. However, fish are contaminated with mercury in the area and kids we have seen so far in the fishing villages are truly sick. The Rotary clubs in the area are trying to help cure the sick but they are not able to fight the source of the problem. They bring physicians who volunteer to work with patients who have river illnesses….”