[Download] "Changes in College Students' Attitudes and Intentions for Civic Involvement As a Function of Service-Learning Experiences." by Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning * Book PDF Kindle ePub Free

eBook details

Title: Changes in College Students' Attitudes and Intentions for Civic Involvement As a Function of Service-Learning Experiences.
Author : Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning
Release Date : January 22, 2002
Genre: Education,Books,Professional & Technical,
Pages : * pages
Size : 231 KB

Description

Service-learning is receiving wide acceptance in higher education as an innovative educational practice that strengthens the acquisition of course concepts while also affecting students' attitudes regarding social problems, community issues, and civic action (Eyler & Giles, 1999; Yates & Youniss, 1996). With this increased interest, the question arises as to how well these educational and personal development goals are being accomplished. Stukas, Clary, and Snyder (1999) organize a review of service-learning research around several major goals, concluding that students who participate in Service-Learning may show increases in Self-Enhancement, Understanding of Self and World, Value-Expression, Career Development, and other matters. They also note that the extent and quality of research supporting positive outcomes in these domains is still limited. The present study tests service-learning's influence on college students' self-reports of such attitudes and self-evaluations. The Civic Attitudes and Skills Questionnaire (CASQ) was used to assess students' self-evaluations. The CASQ yields scores on six scales, developed through factor analysis, and for which reliability and validity evidence has been presented (Moely, Mercer, Ilustre, Miron, & McFarland, 2002). The six scales reflect three of the goals described by Stukas et al. (1999): Interpersonal and Problem-Solving Skills, Political Awareness, and Leadership Skills are aspects of Self-Enhancement; Social Justice Attitudes and Diversity Attitudes are components of Stukas et al.'s Understanding of Self and World; and a scale measuring plans for Civic Action reflects Value-Expression. The CASQ was used in this study to evaluate changes in attitudes over a semester for students who were participating in service-learning through an academic course. A comparison group of students not doing Service-Learning was obtained from either the same courses or from courses attracting students similar to the service-learners in academic discipline and year in college.