It is time to review the schedule for the placement of your session in the AAACE Agenda. This is the final draft of the Schedule. When you look up your name, use the detail listing to check what days/times you asked to be placed. This is a huge program and we can accommodate necessary changes in day and time now, but may not be able to do so after September 1, 2013 except in emergencies. Please carefully check your placement and send any requests to Ginger Phillips, AAACE Conference Planner with AAACE Session Change Request in the subject line. We will respond to your email, but it may take us up to a week to do so. Thanks for your help in "fine tuning" this agenda!
Service Learning in Online Courses: Challenges and Potential Among Adult Learners
Type of Presentation
Roundtable Discussion (45 minutes)
Session Abstract
This session covers how service learning was incorporated in online learning as well as faculty’s perceptions of designing and implementing service learning including student learning outcomes, encountered challenges and potentials.
Target Audience
Faculty who are interested in the related issues of service learning, especially how service learning is applied to students who take online courses, and what are the problems or difficulties that both faculty and students encountered in online settings with the application of service learning. Faculty who would like to see the example of service learning designed along with online courses are welcome to attend. Other participants including scholars, practitioners, or students are welcome to attend to learn the concept of service learning and how service learning can be implemented in an online course.
Learning Outcomes
The audience will learn the underlying theories that support the design of service learning as well as the application of service learning among non-traditional African-American adult learners in online settings. Learners who participate in this session will learn: (1) The concept, design and implementation of service learning in online courses; (2) The skills that students developed through their participation in service learning along with reflection journal writing; (3) Faculty’s perceptions of encountered challenges and difficulties on the implementation of service learning in online settings; (4) Student perceptions towards service learning and what they have learned through service learning experiences.
Session Description
Service-Learning is a teaching and learning strategy that combines community service with classroom instruction. Service learning programs involve students in activities that address local needs while developing their academic skills and commitment to the community. Service learning enriches student learning experiences, critical and reflective thinking as well as personal and civic responsibility. Experiential learning is one of the major learning theories that support service learning.
A cast study will be presented that involves African-American adult learners in an online course with service learning requirements. The major challenges, perceived by the instructor when applying service learning, include limited interaction between the instructor and students, selection of a research topic that relates to the service learning project, etc. Students who successfully completed their service learning commented that service learning is a rewarding learning experience that allows them to find values in themselves while applying learned knowledge and skills to help others.
Efforts are made to try to schedule sessions on the day preferred by the Primary Presenter, though this cannot be guaranteed. Please check your preference.
Thursday November 7