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doi: 10.1177/1053825918785396pmid: N/A
Background: Although culture is deeply embedded in language, cultural proficiency is not always gained during language learning. Experiential pedagogies that emphasize reflection may be appropriate for such learning. Purpose: This research explored pupils’ self-awareness as they engaged in the co-construction of personal life stories in one experiential pedagogy, the Autobiography, Biography, and Cross-cultural analyses (ABCs) model. Methodology/Approach: The ABCs methodology was implemented across two secondary-level foreign language classrooms, one of Irish students learning German, and the other of German students learning English utilizing a case study approach. Student writing products generated during early stages of the implementation were analyzed for themes related to self-discovery and cultural awareness, to explore how students negotiated self-image as they experienced cultural exchanges with the cross-cultural partner. Findings/Conclusions: Thematic analysis revealed that in the early stages students’ understanding of the role of culture in their own identities was absent. Implications: Teaching culture alongside language is challenging, especially in an online format. The current study demonstrates that language students do not necessarily show awareness of the self and the role of culture at the outset of the intervention. It also shows how the ABCs model can foster experiential learning in a foreign language classroom setting toward greater cultural awareness through self-discovery.
doi: 10.1177/1053825918784630pmid: N/A
Background: Many postsecondary institutions offer outdoor programs to incoming students as a form of orientation or transition event. Positive outcomes for students are shown to result from these interventions but less is known about the mechanisms leading to these outcomes. Purpose: This article argues that conversation is one of these mechanisms and suggests canoe trips are an especially good intervention in which to generate conversation about student transition. Methodology/Approach: Insights emerging from our own outdoor orientation program called Portage lead to a hypothesis that canoe trips create three conditions ideal for the generation of productive conversation about student transition: the emergence of communitas, more egalitarian and communal relationships, and a rich source of metaphor. Findings/Conclusions: The Portage experience shows promise as a way to help students explore their educational and transition experiences through conversation. Implications: The intentional generation of conversation through metaphor on canoe trips may offer a useful space of pedagogical possibility to help students contemplate and pass through their transition more productively.
doi: 10.1177/1053825918808329pmid: N/A
Background: Outdoor Experiential Education (OEE) in the United Kingdom is steeped in tradition. Established practices limit the ability of outdoor professionals to respond to the global challenges of the modern world through locally relevant ways. Internationally, Higher Education (HE) is also currently subject to considerable challenges and its continued relevance can be gauged through its ability to become meaningful in a rapidly changing and pluralistic world. Purpose: We examine the impact of our pedagogical approach to working with international students, developing professional practice informed by one place, set within the context of the needs of the world and framed by the question “what kind of outdoor educator do you want to become?” Methodology/Approach: The authors used Dewey’s concept of occupations as an organizing principle for the curriculum. Four excursions involving 86 students were facilitated and reviewed. Findings/Conclusions: The norms of traditional OEE practices were predominantly overcome and innovative ways of co-creating knowledge emerged. Implications: If outdoor educators develop their own occupation in the context of wider needs, they can become place-responsive as well as continuously open to change.
doi: 10.1177/1053825918794219pmid: N/A
Background: Family Life Education Methodology (FLEM) is an integral component of the family science collegiate curriculum. Given the range of topics and that material is not immediately interesting to students, teaching FLE courses is consistently reported as difficult. Purpose: The goal of this study is to evaluate an experiential learning approach to FLEM that addresses these pedagogical issues by expanding on the low, medium, and high dosage projects as proposed by Vaterlaus and Asay. Methodology/Approach: This approach was implemented with four FLEM classes in a midsize university (N = 120). Students completed a low, medium, and high dosage project throughout each course, and completed written evaluations after each project, which were analyzed using qualitative analysis. Findings/Conclusions: Students reported multiple benefits for each project. The low dosage project was associated with learning what FLEM is, finding, and building on passions. The medium dosage project was associated with tangible and self-learning. The high dosage project was associated with outside learning and making a difference in the community. Implications: The proposed approach utilized multiple opportunities for experiential learning that appear beneficial for student learning. Replication is needed in other collegiate contexts to validate the approach.
doi: 10.1177/1053825918808321pmid: N/A
Background: In a digital age, service-learning partner organizations can expand beyond geographical locations accessible to the students. Particularly within fields digitizing archival sources, including art history, many learning outcomes achieved in traditional on-site service-learning programs can also result from remote access to staff and materials at non-local partner organizations. Purpose: This study analyzed the impact of a remote service-learning project between an upper division contemporary art history course at a regional university in Ohio and the Archives of American Art in Washington, D.C. Methodology/Approach: Over 3 consecutive years, the students used digitized visual and audio archival materials to edit transcripts of oral histories for web publication. At the conclusion of the project, the students conducted focus group interviews to analyze their perceptions of learning outcomes. Findings/Conclusions: Qualitative analysis of the interview transcripts yielded four primary themes in the data: disciplinary understanding, transferrable skill development, critical decision making, and emotional knowledge. Implications: Remote service-learning can facilitate many of the same learning outcomes as on-site experiences.
Choi, Eunhee; Raymond, Jenna; Hentschel, Margit
doi: 10.1177/1053825918804570pmid: N/A
Background:The ability to forge connections between academic study and real-world experience is essential in service learning (SL). Furthermore, the transition out of SL projects can be emotionally charged for both students and service recipients; yet, little research has been conducted on this topic. Purpose: This study aimed (a) to compare students’ ability to forge connections between course content and service experience and (b) to compare the transition out of their SL project between the 2016 and 2017 cohorts. Methodology/Approach: Mixed methods were used for the comparison. T tests were conducted to compare differences in the exam scores between the two cohorts. Summative content analysis was used to compare students’ weekly reflection journals for the two cohorts. Findings/Conclusions: Students were better able to make such connections when they were explicitly guided with prompting questions based on each week’s lecture topics. Students also transitioned out of their projects more smoothly when provided with a lecture, abundant reflection opportunities, and more instructor coaching. Exam scores, however, showed no statistical differences between the cohorts. Implications: Intentional efforts must be made to ensure that students relate course content to their service experience. Providing guidance on transitioning to project closure would also benefit students.
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