DOCUMENT RESUME ED 479 826 JC 030 403 AUTHOR Haines, Dana Lee A Study of Community College Student Attitudes Related to TITLE Service Learning. 2002-00-00 PUB DATE 121p.; Ed.D. Dissertation, Baylor University. NOTE Dissertations/Theses PUB TYPE Doctoral Dissertations (041) Tests/Questionnaires (160) EDRS Price MF01/PC05 Plus Postage. EDRS PRICE DESCRIPTORS *Citizenship Education; Community Colleges; Community Services; *Experiential Learning; School Community Relationship; *Service Learning; *Student Attitudes; *Student Participation; Two Year Colleges ABSTRACT The fourfold purpose of this study was to determine if student attitudes toward community service, student attitudes toward civic involvement, student attitudes about life skills, and student attitudes toward civic engagement and service learning differed based on enrollment in a course with a service learning component or enrollment in a course without that component. The cont'ext of the study was an English 102 course in the spring semester of 2002 at Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona. One selected section of the course had a service learning requirement and one selected section did not. Fifteen students in the service learning section, and 20 students in the non-service learning section participated in the study. The study used two instruments: (1) the Academic Course Evaluation Questionnaire; and (2) a Student Life Skills Self Evaluation. Results of the study indicate that there was a significant difference between the groups related to students' involvement in community service during the semester and prior to the semester studied. Students who did not enroll in the class with the service learning component had participated in more prior community service and also were more likely to have voted in the last election. Research instruments appended. (Contains 122 references and 20 tables.) 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ABSTRACT A Study of Community College Student Attitudes Related to Service Learning Dana Lee Haines Mentor: Betty Jo Monk, Ph.D. The fourfold purpose of this study was to determine if (1) student attitudes toward community service, (2) student attitudes toward civic involvement, (3) student attitudes about life skills, and (4) student attitudes toward civic engagement and service learning differed based on enrollment in a course with a service learning component or enrollment in a course without a service learning component. A related purpose for students enrolled in a course with a service learning component was to determine if the service learning component had an impact on students' future educational or career plans. The study was conducted at Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona using two groups enrolled in an English 102 course: (1) 23 students (10 males and 13 females) with service learning, and (2) 16 students (8 males and 8 females) without service learning. fflo Research questions were answered using an academic course evaluation questionnaire, student life skills self-evaluation, a writing sample, and reflection papers rI\ 0 (service learning only). Results indicated no differences between the students enrolled in the course with service learning and the students enrolled in the course without service BlEST COPY AVA1M LE learning on the perception of community service, civic involvement, life skills, and civic engagement. A statistically significant difference was determined with students' involvement in community service during Fall 2001 and prior to Fall 2001 as well as with students' voting record. Writing samples from students without service learning produced emerging themes of establishing responsibility, relationship to community, personal development, and college entrance. Writing samples from students with service learning produced emerging themes of involvement in community, career decisions, and personal development. Analysis of fourteen reflection papers revealed there was some impact of the service learning experience on their educational or career plans. Consideration of the academic course for use of service learning is paramount. While there is value to service learning, this study revealed that using a content course such as English may not be the most appropriate for service learning. Alternatives for service learning opportunities include internships or professional/career-oriented courses to assure a specific connection of subject matter for the reflection process necessary in service learning. 3 Approved by the Department of Educational Administration: Albert B. Smith, Ph.D., Chairperson Approved by the Dissertation Committee: Betty Jo Monk, Ph.D., Chairperson Robert C. Cloud, Ed.D. James L. Williamson, Ed.D. Henry H. Walbesser, Ph.D. Randy M. Wood, Ph.D. Approved by the Graduate School: J. Larry Lyon, Ph.D., Dean 4 A Study of Community College Student Attitudes Related to Service Learning A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Baylor University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education By Dana Lee Haines Waco, Texas August 2002 14 Copyright © 2002 by Dana Lee Haines All right reserved 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS vii DEDICATION xiv CHAPTER Introduction 1. 1 Statement of the Problem 3 Purpose of the Study 3 Research Questions 3 Significance of the Study 4 Definition of Terms 4 Basic Assumptions 6 Limitations 6 Review of Related Literature 2. 8 Introduction 8 Definition of Service Learning 8 Incorporation of Service Learning in Higher Education 10 Relationship to Theoretical Landmarks 12 Evaluation of Curriculum 16 Community College Service Learning Literature 19 Community College Service Learning Initiatives 23 Selected Initiatives at Community Colleges 25 iii 6 29 Research Methodology 3. Statement of the Problem 29 Purpose of the Study 29 Research Questions 29 Significance of the Study 30 Design 31 Site Selection, Academic Course, and Participants 31 Instruments and Student Generated Products 33 Procedures for Collection of Data 34 Procedures for Data Analysis 36 Purpose of the Data 38 4. Descriptive Data 38 Findings by Research Question 43 Research Question One 43 Research Question Two 46 Research Question Three 47 Research Question Four 48 Non Service Learning Writing Sample Qualitative Analysis 54 Service Learning Writing Sample Qualitative Analysis 57 Research Question Five 59 Results 64 Summary of Analysis 65 iv 7 Summary, Findings, Discussion and Implications for Practice, and 5. Recommendations for Research 66 Summary 66 Research Questions 67 Findings 68 Conclusions 70 Discussion and Implications for Practice 71 Recommendations for Research 75 Recommendation One 76 Recommendation Two 76 Closing Comments 77 APPENDICES 78 Academic Course Evaluation Questionnaire A. 79 Permission from Culler B. 85 Student Life Skills Self-Evaluation C. 87 Permission from Robinson D. 89 Service Learning Agencies/Sites E. 91 Research Grant F. 93 REFERENCES 95 v s LIST OF TABLES Description of Participants in the Study: Gender and Age Table 1. 39 Description of Participants in the Study: Classification Table 2. 39 Description of Participants in the Study: Ethnicity Table 3. 40 Description of Participants in the Study: Major Table 4. 41 Description of Participants in the Study: Hometown Table 5. 42 t-test Results Items 8 & 9 Table 6. 43 t-test Results Item 12 Table 7. 44 t-test Results Items 13 & 14 Table 8. 45 t-test Results Items 20 & 22 Table 9. 45 Table 10. t-test Results Items 27 & 29 46 Table 11. t-test Results Items 33, 34, & 37 47 Table 12. t-test Results Student Life Skills Self-Evaluation 48 Table 13. z-test Results Item 15 49 Table 14. z-test Results Item 16 50 Table 15. z-test Results Item 17 50 Table 16. z-test Results Item 18 51 Table 17. t-test Results Items 19, 23, & 25 52 Table 18. t-test Results Item 26 52 Table 19. t-test Results Item 28 53 Table 20. t-test Results Items 35, 36, & 38 53 vi 9