At the conclusion of a three-year grant cycle (2003-2006), educators and administrators as well as the general public in the state of Texas are questioning whether or not service-learning is indeed a powerful means of preparing students to become more caring and responsible parents and citizens. This study was designed to measure teachers’ perceived effectiveness of service-learning. The Texas Center for Service- Learning provided a list of districts participating in the K-12 School-Community Partnership Grant Project and contact information for district grant coordinators. Coordinators in participating districts were then contacted by phone and e-mail to submit names and contact information for teachers participating in the service-learning program. Teachers whose districts are located in central and southeast Texas were interviewed during the spring 2006 on their campuses, and teachers from more remote parts of Texas were interviewed in Austin during the Summer 2006 Institute. The sample that was used in this study includes six elementary, four middle, and two high school teachers who have been involved in the development and implementation of service-learning programs in their districts. In addition to targeting teachers at the elementary and middle school level, both male and female service-learning teachers were interviewed as well as teachers who also assumed the role as campus and/or district service-learning coordinator. Data collected from the service-learning teachers interviewed was analyzed to generate a composite picture of teachers’ perceptions and attitudes toward servicelearning. Once interviews were completed, data were transcribed, coded for audit trail purposes, printed onto separate sheets, and those sheets that apparently related to the same content were categorized into provisional categories. Five important salient themes emerged as conclusions of the study. The first conclusion relates to service-learning work and competing priorities. The second conclusion illustrates service-learning as having a higher purpose for the teachers who have chosen to become involved in it. The third conclusion was reached by examining the role of grant funding. The fourth conclusion was drawn from situations where teachers and communities are promoting a culture of service, and the fifth and final conclusion stresses the importance of teacher leadership in the success of servicelearning programs.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2009. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 377-389).

The application of research-based methods of skill development has enabled people across a variety of different fields to reach extraordinary levels of achievement. Among the various fields where superior achievement might be attained, training individuals to recognize the dignity of others and strive for remarkable accomplishment in humanitarian service would be an area that would greatly affect our society and world. The purpose of this study was to test the applicability of K. Anders Ericsson’s theory of the attainment of expert performance through deliberate practice on those who demonstrate a superior level of achievement in terms of service to others. The project consisted of the study of two participants who were identified as having demonstrated outstanding achievement in serving others. These people participated in a series of retrospective interviews. The study also included data from retrospective interviews with a close friend or relative with long-term familiarity of the participant’s service to others, and with a person identified by the participant as a coach or mentor. Analysis of the interview data demonstrated a reasonable connection between the lives of the expert humanitarians and Ericsson’s framework. The data from both participants related well to Ericsson’s framework particularly in regards to incremental growth, use of strategies, and focused attention. Although both participants used mentors, one did not use the mentor in order to design tasks and set goals but rather to seek feedback and advice. There is reasonable cause to conclude that this model will serve as a valuable tool for educators. Additionally, five practical and one theoretical recommendations are offered to help administrators engage students in incremental growth, including a focus on teaching students to listen attentively to find their cause in life, the promotion of travel as a form of education, and assisting and encouraging students when they want to become active and involved.

The application of research-based methods of skill development has enabled people across a variety of different fields to reach extraordinary levels of achievement. Among the various fields where superior achievement might be attained, training individuals to recognize the dignity of others and strive for remarkable accomplishment in humanitarian service would be an area that would greatly affect our society and world. The purpose of this study was to test the applicability of K. Anders Ericsson’s theory of the attainment of expert performance through deliberate practice on those who demonstrate a superior level of achievement in terms of service to others. The project consisted of the study of two participants who were identified as having demonstrated outstanding achievement in serving others. These people participated in a series of retrospective interviews. The study also included data from retrospective interviews with a close friend or relative with long-term familiarity of the participant’s service to others, and with a person identified by the participant as a coach or mentor. Analysis of the interview data demonstrated a reasonable connection between the lives of the expert humanitarians and Ericsson’s framework. The data from both participants related well to Ericsson’s framework particularly in regards to incremental growth, use of strategies, and focused attention. Although both participants used mentors, one did not use the mentor in order to design tasks and set goals but rather to seek feedback and advice. There is reasonable cause to conclude that this model will serve as a valuable tool for educators. Additionally, five practical and one theoretical recommendations are offered to help administrators engage students in incremental growth, including a focus on teaching students to listen attentively to find their cause in life, the promotion of travel as a form of education, and assisting and encouraging students when they want to become active and involved.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--University of Washington, 1998. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [107]-112).

Thesis (Ed. Spec.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references.

This study investigated the levels of involvement in service-learning programs and activities in 4-year public colleges and university that held membership in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Auburn University, 2007. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (ℓ. 99-124)

No description available.

No description available.