Session III:International Service

Learning (ISL)

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

Types of ISL Programs Faculty Led Partnership

Direct Enrollment Hybrid

Travel Embedded

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

Main Element: Worksite/Volunteer Worksite needs to be tied into every part

of the curriculum

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!

Refraction Process

REFRACTION

CRITICAL THINKING

REFLECTION

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

context

PedagogicalStrategies

Curriculum

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….”

Writing Time