Improving+students'+global+perspective+through+service-learning+experiences+that+never+leave+campus

 **Improving students' global perspective through service-learning experiences that never leave campus** Alisha Vincent, Director, Service-Learning and Civic Engagement, Iowa Wesleyan College [alisha.vincent@iwc.edu]



**Keywords:** Global awareness, higher education, psychology, social learning theory

**Track:** Civic learning outcomes for students in K-12 and higher education

**Format:** Poster presentation


 * Date & time: **Friday 3:20-4:30
 * Location: **Salon 4 / Salon 9

**Summary:** Research has identified that student awareness of pressing global issues is heightened when they are exposed to global environments in an international service or study abroad experience. The current research will examine how student understanding of pressing global issues, and belief in their ability to be a social change agent, can be significantly improved even when students are unable to leave their local campus. Results of a repeated measures study will be discussed in terms of improvement in student understanding and attitude toward their role in alleviating social challenges.

This study demonstrates the possibility of creating a global experience without having to travel abroad. It also illustrates the role of service-learning as a conduit to challenge the ways students critically examine pressing social issues through a global lens. One of the questions that Eyler (2000) challenges service-learning practitioners to consider when developing service components is whether or not the project can contribute to a deeper understanding of the subject matter. This research shows that students’ understanding of global crises, and belief in their ability to impact these crises, were improved through the innovative service-learning experience.

**References:** Eyler, J. (2000). What do we need to know about the impact of service-learning on student learning? //Michigan Journal of Community Service, Fall//, 11-17.

Eyler, J., & Giles, D. E. (1999). //Where’s the learning in service-learning?// San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Kraft, R. J. (2002). International service-learning. In M. E. Kenny, K. Kiley-Brabeck, & R. M. Lerner (Eds). //Learning to serve: Promoting civil society through service-learning// (pp. 297-314). Norwells, MA: Academic Publishers.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Monard-Weissman, K. (2003). Fostering a sense of justice through international service-learning. //Academic Exchange//, //Summer,// 164-169.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Rosenstock, I., Strecher, V., & Becker, M. (1988). Social learning theory and the health belief model. //Health Education & Behavior, 2//(15), 175-183.

<span style="color: #272727; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Sternberger, L. G., Ford, K. A., & Hale, D. C. (2005). International service-learning: Integrating academics and active learning in the world. //Journal of Public Affairs, 8//, 75-96.

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