ERIC Number: EJ1146287
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Jun
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0313-5373
EISSN: N/A
Exploring the Value of Service-Learning on Preservice Teachers
Mergler, Amanda; Carrington, Suzanne B.; Kimber, Megan P.; Bland, Derek; Boman, Peter
Australian Journal of Teacher Education, v42 n6 Article 5 p69-80 Jun 2017
Service-learning as a transformative pedagogy within university education is becoming increasingly popular in Australia. Advocates of service-learning indicate that the practice of combining community based voluntary work with theoretical in-class academic knowledge leads to a greater awareness about diversity and difference in students. While such claims are enticing, particularly in pre-service teacher education where there is a need for teachers to understand and embrace diversity, it is important to determine the veracity of such claims. The current study used a repeated measures design to explore whether engaging in service-learning as part of an inclusive education unit resulted in changes in pre-service teachers' willingness to support diverse students and their sense of confidence and preparedness when teaching such students. Results revealed that fourth year pre-service teachers self-reported significantly higher levels of willingness to include diversity, confidence to support diversity, and preparedness to teach diverse students after service-learning than before. These results indicate that undertaking a service learning experience as part of an inclusive education unit in a teacher education degree may result in positive changes in students that support an inclusive approach to education.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Preservice Teachers, Service Learning, Program Effectiveness, Student Diversity, Inclusion, Teacher Competencies, Experiential Learning, Surveys, Questionnaires, Statistical Analysis, Attitude Change, Factor Analysis, Maximum Likelihood Statistics
Edith Cowan University. Bradford Street, Mount Lawley, West Australia 6050, Australia. Web site: http://ro.ecu.edu.au/ajte/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A