Date of Award

Spring 2023

Degree Type

Capstone - Open Access

Degree Name

Master of Education (MEd)

Department

Education

First Advisor

Melissa Nemon

Abstract

The goal of service learning is rooted in the integration of education, community, and self with the expectation that personal and community transformation takes place when students apply what they are learning in the classroom to the real needs of real people in the real world. This paper compares the service learning experiences of high school students done remotely during the 2020-21 school year versus service learning done in-person during the 2021-22 school year to determine if there is a difference in transformational impact by the type of service learning. A mixed methods program evaluation was completed that utilized data from student reflections and evaluations from each year. Three key evaluation questions were used to look at the difference in service learning between each year, the value of the different experiences, and how age and gender may impact different service learning experiences. Data from this evaluation showed that positive outcomes can be achieved through both remote and in-person service learning including sense of community, engagement, and future participation. Future program evaluations should consider multiple ways to integrate remote and in-person service learning opportunities depending on their desired outcomes for transformational growth in high school students.

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