Service Learning: October 2007 Volume 1 Issue 3

Higher
Education K-12 Sector

K-12

Community-
Based Tribal Sector

Tribes and
Territories Grantees and Subgrantees

Learn & Serve
Programs


NSLC Newsletter
	October 2007 Volume 1, Issue 3

From the Editors:
	In honor of the Seventh International Research Conference on Service-Learning and Community Engagement held in Tampa Florida on October 7-9th, we’re focusing this edition of Learn and Serve America's National Service-Learning Clearinghouse e-newsletter on research. This year's conference, "Sustainability and Scholarship: Research and the K-20 Continuum," featured the announcement of the formation of the International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement (IARSLCE).This international nonprofit membership organization is devoted to promoting research and discussion about service-learning and community engagement and will be responsible for the research conference and the publication of its proceedings each year. To learn more, to become a member, and/or to join one of the organization’s committees, visit http://www.researchslce.org/. Session handouts will be housed on the IARSLCE website and papers from the conference will be refereed for a post-conference edited book on research. Read last year's papers in the just-released edition of the Advances in Service-learning Research series, *From Passion to Objectivity: International and Cross-Disciplinary Perspectives on Service-Learning Research, edited by Sherril B. Gelmon, Portland State University, and Shelley H. Billig, RMC Research Corporation. NSLC would like to extend congratulations to Janet Eyler who was honored with the Fifth Annual Service-Learning and Community Engagement Research Award at this year's conference. We also congratulate Shelley Billig, of RMC Research, NSLC’s K-12 Program Advisor, who was recognized for her service to IARSLCE with the Award of Distinction. One of the topics of most consistent discussion at the conference was the needs of graduate students and early career faculty in service-learning. NSLC played a part in this conversation by releasing our publication, Recent Dissertations on Service and Service-Learning Topics: Volume IV (2004-2006)*. This volume contains abstracts of dissertations and theses written on service-learning and related topics organized by author, by discipline, by sector, and by subject. It also provides a brief analysis of dissertations’ research methods used, topics addressed, and departments in order to provide a richer picture of the state of graduate research in service-learning today. Order your copy today at http://www.servicelearning.org/pubs/index.php. Remember, whether your focus is research or practice or both, we are always happy to hear from you, so send your feedback, ideas, and questions to us. Barbara and Liberty Barbara Holland, National Service-Learning Clearinghouse Director Liberty Smith, National Service-Learning Clearinghouse Program Manager

News:
	Rescuing Recess Volunteer Challenge! Now through June 2008, Rescuing Recess is recruiting volunteers all over the country to serve as recess monitors at their local elementary school. One school in every state and DC that completes the most volunteer hours has a chance to win up to $2,500 in cash grants and to compete for one national grant of $25,000! Visit http://www.cartoonrecessweek.com/ for more information.

	Just released from Campus Compact: Earn, Learn, and Serve: Getting the Most from Community Service Federal Work-Study Until now, the only widely available writing on this topic included scattered articles and resources posted on the web, and a handbook produced annually by the Department of Education for Student Aid. This new online collection of resources provides a thorough overview of community service Federal Work Study. This online publication assembles valuable articles, tools, and case studies to guide campuses in making the best possible use of FWS to develop student leaders, advance civic engagement efforts, and strengthen communities. In addition to articles by practitioners with models from more than 25 colleges and universities, this guide offers expert analysis, principles of best practice, and sample planning documents from institutions with successful programs. Erin Bowley, editor. http://www.compact.org/fws/

New From NSLC:
	Recent Dissertations on Service and Service-Learning Topics: Volume IV (2004-2006) The fourth volume of Learn and Serve America's National Service-Learning Clearinghouse's collection of recent service-learning thesis and dissertation abstracts is now available in print form through our publications order department and for free download from our website! Containing citation information for 144 dissertations and theses from the years 2004-2006, this volume also provides a brief analysis of the collection of dissertations and theses in order to provide a richer picture of the current state of service-learning research. The analysis includes types of research methods used, topics the research was addressing, and departments in which service-learning graduate research is being conducted. Each abstract is listed alphabetically by author and contains information on university, department, advisor, year of publication, and page length. Three additional access points sort the collection by sector, subject, and discipline. Smith, Liberty and Heather J. Martin, Eds. Recent Disserations on Service and Service-Learning Topics: Volume IV, 2004-2006. Scotts Valley, CA: National Service-Learning Clearinghouse, 2007. http://www.servicelearning.org/filemanager/download/Dissertations_VolumeIV_v2_web.pdf

People are Talking About...
	A recent topic on the Higher Education Service-Learning discussion list has been the connection between faith-based communities and service-learning. Discussion list members have talked about the prevalence of service-learning in the work of faith-based groups, and suggest opportunities for those groups to become involved internationally and locally. You can read this thread at http://lists.etr.org/read/messages?id=82473#82473. If you're not yet a part of a service-learning discussion list, please join us in discussing this and other topics in service-learning practice and scholarship by visiting http://www.servicelearning.org/what_is_service-learning/lists_news/index.php#ls.

Access Materials from the NSLC Library:
	Learn and Serve America Grantees can borrow from our library of more than 6,000 items on service-learning. Borrowers can check out up to three items at a time, for a one-month lending period. We ship the items to you via UPS 3-day delivery. To get started borrowing from the NSLC library, you'll need to have a Loan Agreement form on file with us (a brief form with your contact information). To get started, visit our borrowing information page here: http://www.servicelearning.org/library/phys_coll/index.php. If you're not a grantee but would still like to access materials on service-learning, be sure to visit our growing e-Library collection at http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/fulltext.php.

Featured Library Resources:
	New Research on Service-Learning and Related Topics: Civic Measurement Models: Tapping Adolescents' Civic Engagement This study looked at aspects of adolescents’ civic behaviors, opinions, knowledge, and dispositions. The data used to derive the civic measures were gathered from two waves of surveys with 1,924 students ages 12-18 from 88 social studies classes in the Northeastern United States, during the 2004 election campaign. http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=7167 From Passion to Objectivity: International and Cross-Disciplinary Perspectives on Service-Learning Research This volume is the seventh in the Advances in Service-learning Research series, and presents a collection of papers selected from those presented at the Sixth International Service-Learning Research Conference, hosted by Portland State University in October 2006. http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=7252 Making a Difference in Schools: The Big Brothers Big Sisters School-Based Mentoring Impact Study This report presents the findings from a landmark random assignment impact study of Big Brothers Big Sisters School-Based Mentoring—the first national study of this program model. http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=7175 The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts This research report looks at the reasons behind the nation’s low graduation rates through the perspective of high school dropouts. One argument made is that more opportunities for real-world learning, such as service-learning would have improved students' chances of staying in school. http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=7242

Order Publications from NSLC:
	Did you know that as well as providing the most comprehensive library of service-learning materials, NSLC offers copies of many of our most popular resources for free or low cost to both grantees and non-grantees? As well as service-learning best-sellers like At A Glance and A Practitioner's Guide to Reflection in Service-Learning, you can order your own copy of the Bring Learning to Life DVD and brochure, or order NSLC promotional items for your next event. The order process is easy. Just fill out the form online and let us do the rest! http://www.servicelearning.org/pubs/index.php.

What's Happening:
	Seventh National Conference on Service in Indian Country October 30 - November 2, 2007 Sparks, NV Sponsor: The Corporation for National & Community Service and ACKCO, Inc. http://www.servicelearning.org/events_jobs/slconf_events/index.php?action=detailed&event=636 2007 11th Annual Conference Healthy Communities Healthy Youth November 8 - 10, 2007 Rochester, NY Sponsor: Search Institute http://www.servicelearning.org/events_jobs/slconf_events/index.php?action=detailed&event=583 Surfing the Wave of Change December 12 - 14, 2007 San Diego, CA Sponsor: Youth Service America http://www.servicelearning.org/events_jobs/slconf_events/index.php?action=detailed&event=644 Intentional Learning, Unscripted Challenges, Knowledge and Imagination for an Interdependent World January 23 - 26, 2007 Washington, DC Sponsor: Association of American Colleges and Universities http://servicelearning.org/events_jobs/slconf_events/index.php?action=detailed&event=650 12th Annual Institute: Service-Learning and Civic Engagement February 7 - 8, 2007 Mount Pleasant, MI Sponsor: Michigan Campus Compact http://servicelearning.org/events_jobs/slconf_events/index.php?action=detailed&event=637

Learn and Serve America Grantee Materials Roundup:
Have you ever been convinced that your program isn't the first to try a particular idea? Do you wonder if others would be interested in your project discoveries? Whether you're just starting out, or have been engaged in service-learning for years, let the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse make the connection for you. We collect materials created by service-learning programs and add them to our library for others to access. If you have produced surveys, forms, curricula, project plans, or any type of materials that could be shared with others involved in service-learning, send them our way! Check out this list of recent grantee submissions to find evaluation tools, program ideas, publicity ideas, strategies for measuring learning, etc. http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/grantee_submitted_mats.php. Whether or not you're a Learn and Serve America Grantee, let others know about the successful approaches used in your service-learning program. Submit today at http://www.servicelearning.org/library/mat_contrib/index.php. Remember that Learn and Serve America grantees must submit publications and other resources developed through their funded activities.

	Benefits of Service-Learning: Shaping the Attitudes of K-12 Students SCALE http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=7234 The Building Active Citizens and Social Capital Project: Summative Evaluation Report Upper Midwest Campus Compact Consortium http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=7245 Learn and Serve America Meth Free Tennessee: Youth Edition, Evaluation #1 Volunteer Tennessee http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=7239 Planning K-12 Service-Learning: Impacting the Lives of K-12 Learners in the Classroom and the Community SCALE http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=7235 Using Service-Learning in Pre-Service Education Programs: A Brief Review of the Current Literature SCALE http://www.servicelearning.org/library/lib_cat/index.php?library_id=7233 ***And a thank you to those who sent photos to feature on the new website design! If you haven’t submitted your photo yet, please do so at http://www.servicelearning.org/library/mat_contrib/share_photo_form.php.

Shape NSLC!
	Did you know that as well as traditional library materials, we collect and disseminate electronic versions of sample forms, lesson plans, and syllabi? Click on the link below to download a materials contribution form to submit resource materials you have developed for evaluation by NSLC staff and possible inclusion in the NSLC resource collection. http://www.servicelearning.org/library/promote/index.php For other ways to share your materials, stories, and photos, visit: http://www.servicelearning.org/library/share/. We appreciate the contributions you make to the enhancement of the National Service Learning Clearinghouse, America 's Resource for Service-Learning Information.

Success Stories:
Success stories are a way for NSLC to highlight and show off what you have done and are doing in the realm of service-learning. Submit your story.

	Students and Teachers Engage in Service Learning (A Learn and Serve America Subgrantee) Last fall, teachers at Powerhouse, a small school within Lakewood's Clover Park High school, kicked off the school year by spending one of their half-day professional development sessions participating in community service projects. The staff was divided into four groups and worked at a soup kitchen, family resource center, organic farm for disabled adults, and local wetlands. Afterwards they debriefed and talked about the implications for service learning and the possible applications to their classrooms. "For our small school, we see service as an important component of citizenship, and citizenship is a value we all hold as one of our three core values," explains Debra Shanafelt, administrator at Powerhouse. "Service learning is a powerful instructional strategy for making learning more relevant and meaningful by giving students more ownership and more choice," says Deb. "Since we are a CES school, we also like that it embraces a number of the CES Principles, including 'student as worker' and 'using one's mind well.' Service learning is a type of instruction that engages all different types of learners." This year, ten Clover Park teachers—six from Powerhouse and four from other academies—are implementing service learning projects in their classrooms. Clover Park plans to implement service learning in all four academies and content areas during the next two years. Kristie Fetterly, who teaches Advanced Placement U.S. History at Powerhouse, believes service learning helps connect student learning with what is happening in the community. "For the students in my class, they were given the opportunity to participate in the history, instead of just reading about it," she explains. Kristie started the year using the traditional AP history textbook, but soon decided that she needed to supplement it when her students reported the text was "boring." Kristie asked her students to brainstorm topics they were interested in learning and out of their conversations developed the Lakewood History Project, which connects Lakewood history to the larger national historical context. Throughout the project, Kristie's students partnered with the Lakewood Historical Society and the Lakewood History Museum to create a documentary on the political history of Lakewood. For Kristie, a third-year teacher, service learning has required her to "step out of the traditional teacher role and act more like a coach." "Instead of 'stand and deliver,' I am sharing content and helping students work on projects based on their individual interests." Kristie's students were so excited about the Lakewood History Project that they recently began a second project that involves research and fact checking for the Tacoma Civil Rights Project, an exhibit that will open next year at the Washington State History Museum. For more information about this project, please contact Mary Beth Lambert at the Coalition of Essential Schools Northwest Service Learning Network, 7900 E. Greenlake Dr., N., Suite 212, Seattle, WA 98103, marybeth@cesnw.org - http://www.cesnorthwest.org.

	View other success stories.

	Spread the Good News!
	NSLC is all about sharing, so please feel free to forward to friends and colleagues and invite them to subscribe by sending a blank email to join-nslc-newsletter@lists.etr.org. You're also welcome to incorporate excerpts from the newsletter into your own newsletter (just be sure to cite Learn and Serve America's National Service-Learning Clearinghouse NSLC Newsletter and send us a copy).

Call NSLC Toll-free at 1-866-245-SERV (7378) or e-mail us at info@servicelearning.org

The National Service-Learning Clearinghouse is a program of Learn and Serve America and is managed by ETR Associates. Learn and Serve America is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which is part of USA Freedom Corps. The project is funded under Cooperative Agreement No. 05 TAH-CA005. ©2005-2008 National Service-Learning Clearinghouse. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Accessibility Statement.

Learn and Serve America's National Service-Learning Clearinghouse Newsletter