Meeting Students Where They Are: Introducing Service-Learning with Digital Media to Increase Self-Efficacy for Future Community Engagement

Jamie J Peterson, Joshua Haringa, Martha J Malinski, Janet Bishop, Hilary Stein

Abstract


This study evaluated the efficacy of using digital media to introduce service-learning to undergraduate and graduate students.  Students, faculty, and community engagement staff created two videos that introduced students to either a one-time or a semester-long service-learning assignment. Service-learning courses were matched for degree level, and then half of the classes viewed a video when the service-learning project was assigned. The authors hypothesized that students who viewed digital media would have higher self-efficacy for community engagement and a more positive service-learning experience than students who did not view the digital media.  Results from the Community Service Self-Efficacy Scale and responses to questions about the service-learning experiences confirmed our hypotheses. Students who viewed the digital media had higher self-efficacy for engaging in their service-learning experiences initially, and these students also described a more engaged service-learning experience compared to students who did not view the digital media.

Keywords


service-learning, digital media, self-efficacy, civic engagement

Full Text:

PDF

References


Bai, H., & Stewart, T. (2010). A psychometric study of the Community Service Self-Efficacy Scale for evaluation of service-learning programs. Citizenship, Social and Economics Education, 9, 115-128.

Bandura, A. (1971). Social learning theory. New York: General Learning Press.

Bandura, A. (1993). Perceived self-efficacy in cognitive development and functioning. Educational Psychologist, 28(2), 117-148.

Bringle, R. G., Phillips, M. A., & Hudson, M. (2004). The measure of service learning: Research scales to assess student learning. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Celio, C. I., Durlak, J., & Dymnicki, A. (2011). A meta-analysis of the impact of service-learning on students. Journal of Experiential Education, 34(2), 164-181.

Chesborough, R. D. (2011). College students and service: A mixed methods exploration of motivations, choices and learning outcomes. Journal of College Student Development, 52(6), 687-705.

Darby, A., Longmire-Avital, B., Chenault, J. & Haglund, M. (2013). Students’ motivation in academic service-learning over the course of the semester. College Student Journal, 47(1), 185-191.

Dewey, J. (1916). Democracy and education. New York: Macmillan.

Dipadova-Stocks, L. N. (2005). Two major concerns about service-learning: What if we don’t do it? And what if we do? Academy of Management Learning & Education, 4(3), 345-353.

Eyler, J., & Giles, D. E., Jr. (1999). Where’s the learning in service-learning? San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Eyler, J. S., Giles, D. E., Jr., & Braxton, J. (1997). The impact of service-learning on college students. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 4, 5-15.

Fenzel, L. M., & Leary, T. P. (1997). Evaluating outcomes of service-learning courses at a parochial college. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, IL.

Giles, D. E., Jr., & Eyler, J. S. (1994). The impact of a college community service laboratory on students’ personal, social and cognitive outcomes. Journal of Adolescence, 17, 327-339.

Kendrick, J. R. (1996). Outcomes of service-learning in an introduction to sociology course. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 2, 72-81.

Lenhart, A., Purcell, K., Smith, A., & Zickuhr, K. (2010). Social media and mobile internet use among teens and young adults. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/files/old-media/Files/Reports/2010/PIP_Social_Media_and_Young_Adults_Report_Final_with_toplines.pdf

Maccio, E. M., & Voorhies, R. A. (2012). Social work students’ perceptions of service-learning. Journal of Service-Learning in Higher Education, 1, 50-69.

McCarthy, A. M., & Tucker, M. L. (1999). Student attitudes toward service-learning: Implications for implementation. Journal of Management Education, 23, 554-573.

Moely, B. E., McFarland, M., Miron, D., Mercer, S., & Ilustre, V. (2002). Changes in college students’ attitudes and intentions for civic involvement as a function of service-learning experiences. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 9(1), 18-26.

Perry, J. L., & Katula, M. C. (2001). Does service affect citizenship? Administration & Society, 33, 330-365. doi:10.1177/00953990122019794

Reeb, R. N. Folger, S. F., Langsner, S., Ryan, C., & Crouse, J. (2010). Self-efficacy in service-learning community action research: Theory, research and practice. American Journal of Community Psychology, 46, 459-471.

Reeb, R. N., Katsuyama, R. M., Sammon, J. A., & Yoder, D. S. (1998). The Community Service Self-Efficacy Scale: Evidence of reliability, construct validity, and pragmatic utility. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 4, 48-57.

Reeb, R. N. (2006). Community service self-efficacy: Research review. Academic Exchange Quarterly, 10(1), 242-248.

Rosing, H., Reed, S., Ferrari, J. R., & Bothne, N. J. (2010). Understanding student complaints in the service learning pedagogy. American Journal of Community Psychology, 46, 472-481.

Smith, A. (2013). Civic engagement in the digital age. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/files/old-media/Files/Reports/2013/PIP_CivicEngagementintheDigitalAge.pdf

Wesch, M. (2007) A vision of students today. Digital Ethnography. Retrieved from http://mediatedcultures.net/videos/a-vision-of-students-today/


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.