![[PDF]](/pb-assets/Icons/adobe-pdf-icon-1498649896243.png){kind=icon}
Abstract
Service learning is becoming a more utilized method of instruction in collegiate settings, and holds the potential to provide a deeper, more transferable meaning of course material for students. The purpose of this research was to examine if therapeutic recreation (TR) concentration students perceived service learning to be more personally and academically beneficial than non-TR concentrations in a collegiate recreation program. Undergraduate and graduate students in a recreation program at a regional, American university were asked to complete a survey in a class with a service learning component. A total of 307 surveys were completed, for a response rate of 76%. Results showed that the TR students perceived service learning as more personally and academically beneficial than the non-TR concentrations. Due to the scant amount of research available related to cognitive and affective effects of service learning on collegiate recreation students, this study will help bridge the gap between academia and the recreation workforce. The results of this study support future implementation of service learning at the collegiate level, specifically in recreation-related academic departments, and highlights possible discrepancies between TR and non-TR concentrations in the effectiveness of service learning on personal and academic outcomes.
References
|
Astin, A. W., Vogelgesang, L. J., Ikeda, E. K., Yee, J. A. (2000). How service learning affects students. Los Angeles: Higher Education Research Institute, University of California. Google Scholar | |
|
Barcelona, B., Bocarro, J. (2004). The nature and extent of collaboration between park and recreation agencies and higher education institutions. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 22, 3-24. Google Scholar | |
|
Bringle, R. G., Hatcher, J. A. (1999). Reflection in service learning: Making meaning of experience. Educational Horizons, 77, 179-185. Google Scholar | |
|
Coetzee, B. A., Bloemhoff, H. J., Naude, L. (2011). Students’ reflections on the attainment of competencies in a community service learning module in human movement science. African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance, 17, 547-563. Google Scholar | Crossref | |
|
Conway, J. M., Amel, E. L., Gerwien, D. P. (2009). Teaching and learning in the social context: A meta-analysis of service learning’s effects on academic, personal, social, and citizenship outcomes. Teaching of Psychology, 36, 233-245. Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | ISI | |
|
Cooper, J. R. (2014). Ten years in the trenches: Faculty perspectives on sustaining service-learning. Journal of Experiential Education, 37, 415-428. Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | |
|
Eastern Kentucky University, Recreation and Park Administration . (2011). Bachelor of Science degree in recreation and park administration. Retrieved from http://www.recreation.eku.edu/bachelor-science-degree-recreation-and-park-administration-0 Google Scholar | |
|
Eby, J. (1998). Why service-learning is bad. Retrieved from http://bonnernetwork.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/54644691/Why%20Service%20Learning%20Is%20Bad%20Eby.pdf Google Scholar | |
|
Ehrlich, T. (2000). Civic responsibility and higher education. Phoenix, AZ: American Council on Education and Oryx Press. Google Scholar | |
|
Ellerton, S., DiMeo, C., Pantaleo, J., Kemmerer, A., Bandziukas, M., Bradley, M. (2015). Academic service learning benefits diverse, urban community college students. Journal for Civic Commitment, 22, 1-17. Google Scholar | |
|
Eyler, J., Giles, D. E. (1999). Where’s the learning in service-learning? San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Google Scholar | |
|
Ferrari, J. R., Worrall, L. (2000). Assessments by community agencies: How “the other side” sees service learning. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 7, 35-40. Google Scholar | |
|
Furco, A. (1996). Service-learning: A balanced approach to experimental education. In Corporation for National Service (Ed.), Expanding boundaries: Service and learning (pp. 2-6). Columbia, MD: Cooperative Education Association. Google Scholar | |
|
Gallini, S. M., Moely, B. E. (2003). Service-learning and engagement, academic challenge, and retention. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 10, 5-14. Google Scholar | |
|
Gray, M. J., Ondaatje, E., Fricker, R., Geschwind, S., Goldman, C. A., Kaganoff, T., . . . Klein, S. P. (1999). Combining service and learning in higher education: Evaluation of the Learn and Serve America, higher education program. Santa Monica, CA: RAND. Google Scholar | |
|
King, J. T. (2004). Service learning as a site for critical pedagogy: A case of collaboration, caring, and defamiliarization across borders. Journal of Experiential Education, 26, 121-137. Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | |
|
McClam, T., Diambra, J. F., Burton, B., Fuss, A., Fudge, D. L. (2008). Analysis of a service learning project: Students’ expectations, concerns, and reflections. Journal of Experiential Education, 30, 236-249. Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | |
|
Moorman, M. K., Arellano-Unruh, N. (2002). Community service-learning projects for undergraduate recreation majors. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 73(2), 42-52. Google Scholar | Crossref | |
|
Muthiah, R. N., Hatcher, J., Bringle, R. G. (2001, October). The role of service-learning on retention of students: A multi-campus study of service-learning. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Conference on Advances in Service-learning research, Berkeley, CA. Google Scholar | |
|
National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification . (2014). Available from http://nctrc.org/ Google Scholar | |
|
Olsen, H. M., Burk, B. (2014). Using reflection to assess students’ ability to learn and develop leadership skills. Schole: A Journal of Leisure Studies & Recreation Education, 29(1), 75-90. Google Scholar | |
|
Priest, S., Gass, M. A. (2005). Effective leadership in adventure programming (2nd ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Google Scholar | |
|
Sax, L., Astin, A. (1997). The benefits of service: Evidence from undergraduates. Educational Record, 78, 25-32. Google Scholar | |
|
Scales, P. C., Roehlkepartain, E. C., Neal, M., Kielsmeier, J. C., Benson, P. L. (2006). Reducing academic achievement gaps: The role of community service and service-learning. Journal of Experiential Education, 29, 38-60. Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | |
|
Strage, A. A. (2000). Service learning: Enhancing student learning outcomes in a college-level lecture course. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 7, 5-13. Google Scholar | |
|
Svarich, M. (2014). Therapeutic recreation: Supporting physical activity and well-being. Wellspring, 25(4), 1-4. Google Scholar | |
|
University of Georgia Offcie of Service Learning (n.d.). Retrived from https://servicelearning.uga.edu/. Google Scholar | |
|
Vaske, J. J. (2008). Survey research and analysis: Applications in parks, recreation, and human dimensions. State College, PA: Venture Publishing Inc. Google Scholar | |
|
Wise, J. B. (2008). Student-facilitated adapted recreation event. Palaestra, 24(2), 34-37. Google Scholar | |
|
Wozencroft, A. J., Hardin, R. (2014). Students’ job satisfaction in a therapeutic recreation service learning project. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Education, 15, 103-115. Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
|
Zlotkowski, E. (1999). Pedagogy and engagement. In Bringle, R., Games, R., Malloy, E. (Eds.), Colleges and universities as citizens (pp. 96-120). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. Google Scholar |
Author Biographies
Eden E. Fisher is the Madison County Special Olympics Coordinator and work for Richmond Parks and Recreation in Richmond, KY.
Ryan L. Sharp is an Assistant Professor in the Park Management & Conservation program within the Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources at Kansas State University.
Michael J. Bradley is an Associate Professor in the Recreation and Park Administration Department at Eastern Kentucky University.
