Learning Through Serving [Op]: A Student Guidebook for Service-Learning Across the Disciplines

- A student-friendly, self-directed guide to service- learning - Develops the skills needed to succeed - Clearly links service-learning to the learning goals of the course - Combines self-study and peer-study workbook formats with activities that can be incorporated in class, to give teachers maximum flexibility in structuring their service-learning courses - Promotes independent and collaborative learning - Equally suitable for courses of a few weeks' or a few months' duration - Shows students how to assess progress and communicate end-results - Low priced-the ideal companion to disciplinary course readings - Methodology and activities extensively tested at Portland State University

About the Author :
Christine M. Cress is Professor, Postsecondary, Adult, and Continuing Education (PACE) Program, Portland State University. Peter J. Collier took a non-traditional road to his position at PSU and that dramatically informs his research and teaching. He deeply understands that not everyone arrives at a university skilled at being a college student. Dr. Collier began his education studying engineering at Iowa State University in the late 1960's. From there he moved to New York City where he studied at Julliard and later worked several years as a commercial song writer. He moved back to Oregon in the 1970's, but did not resume his academic studies until 1985 when he earned an associate degree in nursing from Rogue Community College. He earned a Bachelor's degree from Southern Oregon University in 1987 and finally landed at PSU after earning his Ph.D. in System Science and Sociology in 1997. His wide-ranging education and real-life experiences make Collier uniquely qualified to study and teach about the sociology of higher education, identity development and social psychology.Currently Professor Collier's research focuses on issues around how a lack of familiarity with the taken-for-granted aspects of higher education make it more difficult for students from non-traditional backgrounds to succeed at the university. Vicki L. Reitenauer is an instructor in the senior Capstone service-learning program at Portland State University.

Review :
"Finally, a companion reader for students in service-learning courses! It is filled with meaningful exercises to help students make sense of their service experience and relate it to the course content. This is an important contribution to the field of service learning and faculty should utilize this book to help students understand and make the most of their service-learning experience."--Elaine K. Ikeda, Executive Director, California Campus Compact [This] is a self-directed guide for college students engaged in service-learning. The purpose of the book is to walk the reader through elements of learning and serving by focusing on how students can 'best provide meaningful service to a community agency or organization while simultaneously gaining new skills, knowledge, and understanding as an integrated aspect of the [student's] academic program.' [The authors] bring their expertise to the pages of this helpful and practical guide for college students engaged in service-learning. Intended as a textbook, this work reads like a conversation between the authors and the college student learner. The publication is student-friendly, comprehensive, easy to follow, and full of helpful activities.--Journal of College Student Development Although the number of service-learning publications directed at faculty has increased dramatically over the last few years, publications aimed at students have been relatively rare. Learning through Serving represents an important, highly useful student-oriented resource. Not only does it cover a range of topics, from key definitions and distinctions, to team-building, intercultural sensitivity, and typical mistakes, but it also provides practical exercises for all the topics it discusses.--Edward A. Zlotkowski, Fellow at the National Campus Compact, and Professor of English at Bentley College College students who want to make the most of service learning are advised to check out this practical DIY resource. The book covers a lot of ground, from basic definations to the nitty-gritty of team-building, inter-cultural sensitivity and common pitfalls brought home by examples and exercises.-- "Women's Times (Berkshire Region)" (3/1/2008 12:00:00 AM) The authors of this book work at Portland State University, which has a reputation for serious commitment to a learning paradigm, a thoughtful general education curriculum, and a concern for student mindfulness and active citizenship. On the evidence of Learning Through Serving, it is well-deserved.--Effective Teaching The authors presume that community-based learning places students in contact with diverse others and, therefore, that learners must attend to that aspect of their own development. They provide the instructor with useful guidelines for designing and implementing effective service-learning programs.--Janet M. Bennett in Change The recent work by Cress, Collier, and Reitenauer Learning Trhough Serving: A Student Guidebook for Service-Learning Across the Disciplines, is a helpful tool for institutions desiring their graduates to be more socially and communally active during and after their time of study...Learning Through Serving could be easily adapted to any curent service course or to supply the framework for developing a new course. It is thoughtful and useful for instructors and students... Institutions that desire their graduates learn to be the catalysts of change the world needs, should not overlook this useful and inspiring work.-- "Teaching Theology and Religion" (1/1/2009 12:00:00 AM)