New Report: Improving Student Learning Outcomes with Service Learning

Posted by on March 22, 2010

New Service-Learning Research Findings – A new research brief from the American Association of Community Colleges, “Improving Student Learning Outcomes with Service Learning,” reveals that students who participate in service learning score higher on institutional learning outcomes such as critical thinking, communication, civic responsibility, academic development, and educational success. Service learners also saw themselves as more competitive in the job market than those who did not have service learning experience.   In addition, 85 percent of these students believed that service learning should be practiced in more courses at their colleges, and 87 percent would encourage other students to take courses that offer service learning. The 16-page brief summarizes the findings and implications of a three-year study at 10 colleges that participated in AACC’s 2006-2009 grant program, Community Colleges Broadening Horizons through Service Learning.  More than 2,300 students and 68 faculty across a variety of disciplines participated in end-of-course surveys and focus groups.   The entire text of the research brief may be found on AACC’s website at: http://www.aacc.nche.edu/Resources/aaccprograms/horizons/Documents/slorb_jan2010.pdf

Visit AACC’s main website at http://www.aacc.nche.edu/servicelearning for other publications, resources, curriculum tools, and listings of upcoming conferences and events.   AACC’s service learning initiative is supported by the Learn and Serve America program of the Corporation for National and Community Service.  If you have any questions or comments, please contact:

Gail Robinson
Program Director for Service Learning
American Association of Community Colleges
One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 410
Washington, DC 20036
202 728 0200 ext. 254
grobinson@aacc.nche.edu
http://www.aacc.nche.edu/servicelearning