Preparing+the+next+generation+of+service-learning+teachers+-+A+multi-national+assessment+of+the+status+of+service-learning+in+pre-service+teacher+education

 **Preparing the next generation of service-learning teachers:** **A multi-national assessment of the status of service-learning in pre-service teacher education** Jeffrey Anderson, Professor, Seattle University [janderso@seattleu.edu] Andrew Furco, Associate Vice President/Associate Professor,  University of Minnesota [afurco@umn.edu] Kathy Sikes, Director, International Center for Service-learning in Teacher Education, Duke University [Kathy.sikes@duke.edu]



** Keywords: ** Assessment, pre-service teacher education, multi-national study

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

** Format: ** Research paper


 * Date & time: ** Thursday 10:50-12:00
 * Location: ** Wilson

** Summary: ** In this session, we present lessons learned from developing a multi-national study that explores the status of service-learning in pre-service teacher education programs in various countries. The goal of this research project is to assess the status of service-learning in pre-service teacher education and to identify particular, common, and distinct issues across and within the participating countries.

For our investigation, we refined Anderson and Erickson’s (2003) original survey through a series of steps and procedures.First, we revised the original survey items based on lessons that they learned from their study. For example, we changed the wording of several items to reflect more current issues of service-learning (e.g., issues concerning the standards of high quality service-learning practice). Second, we piloted the revised survey with representatives from several English language dominant countries (Australia, England, Singapore, Ireland, South Africa, and U.S.) to ensure that each item has universal applicability across the different educational systems.

After receiving the feedback on the survey items and design, we reviewed the data and develop a preliminary findings report consisting primarily of descriptive data focused on key issues regarding designing a transnational survey.

We intend to report on the feedback we received from the initial piloting survey and share some of the lessons learned in conducting multi-national studies. In addition, we engage session participants in reviewing and critiquing some of the questionnaire items as a means to unpack some of the complexities inherent in conducting transnational studies on service-learning.

Our aim is to share the findings our work in developing the survey while also offering tips and suggestions (e.g., identifying universal terminology that translates well across languages and cultures, cultural sensitivities in interpreting data, human subjects and institutional review board issues, etc.) that can guide other researchers who are interested in conducting multi-national, multi-lingual studies.

**References:** <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Anderson, J. & Erickson, J. (2003). Service-learning in preservice teacher education. //Academic Exchange Quarterly, 7(2),// 111-115.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;"> Furco, A. & Ammon, M. S. (2000). //Study of the status of service-learning in California's teacher education programs//. Sacramento, CA: California Department of Education.

<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Gonsier-Gerdin, J. & Royce-Davis (2006). Developing advocates and leaders through service-learning in preservice and inservice special education programs. In S. Root, J. Callahan, & S. Billig (Eds.), //Improving service-learning practice: Research on models to enhance impacts// (pp. 37-60). Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishing.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Hart, S. M. & King, J. R. (2007). Service learning and literacy tutoring: Academic impact on pre-service teachers. //Teaching and Teacher Education, 23//(4), 323-338.

<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Harwood, A. M., McClanahan, L. G., & Nicholas, T. (2007). Making mythical creatures real: Developing an awareness of adolescent needs through service-learning. In S. B. Gelmon & S. H. Billig (Eds.), //Service-learning: From passion to objectivity// (pp. 217-239). Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishing.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">**Please click here to access a PDF of this page:** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">**[|Anderson et al._Preparing the Next Generation of Service-Learning.pdf]** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-align: left;">To download materials from this session please click on the file link(s) below: **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">**Please join the conversation about this session! To do so, please click on the "Edit" tab at the upper right, scroll back down to here, and lead the comment with your name.**