Book Review
Assessing Service-Learning and Civic Engagement: Principles and Techniques.
Gelmon, S.B., Holland, B.A., Driscoll, A., Spring, A., and Kerrigan, S. (2001).
Summary
- Provides an overview on the planning, design and implementation of assessment for service-learning programs, service-learning courses, or other civic engagement or community involvement initiatives. The authors
- Outlines a rationale for assessment: improvement of student learning, respond to feedback, make necessary changes, and provide the foundation for program planning and redesign.
- Assessment begins with a clear aim and purpose and with a plan identifying the resources and people needed to undertake the process. Assessment must also express what has been learned for one’s own program and what can be shared with others.
- Common themes and concerns in the assessment process include locating expertise; determining the focus, the logistics of implementation; the selection of assessment methods; and determining the use of the findings.
- Outlines elements of a "strategy improvment model, and a framework for the process which may result in identifying opportunities for improvement (8).
- An assessment matrix is provided to offer structure to the evaluation process, articulate a framework for assessment, and facilitate the process of data collection, analysis and reporting with additional detail on methodology, sources of information, instrument selection, and completing the cycle with analysis, discussion, and report-writing.
- A helpful table compares assessment methods such as surveys, focus groups, interviews, and documentation.
- Explores the impact of service-learning on the community focusing on the impact of service-learning on the community organization and how the organization perceives the service-learning project.
- Identifies "Principles of Partnership”, key factors for successful student and community partnerships, and characteristics of sustainable partnership(85).
- An assessment matrix is also provided for the community.
- The handbook explores assessment of service-learning on the institution with ans assessment matrix provided which frames the concepts and indicators to measure the relationship between service-learning and the institution: “engagement in community”, “orientation to teaching and learning” (111), “resources acquisition”, “image/reputation”, “visibility the campus gives to service”, “supportive infrastructure”, and “leadership at all levels” (112). Strategies are outlined along with the key concepts in an assessment matrix for institutions.
- The handbook concludes with a section on methods and analysis which reviews in detail the use of assessment tools and instruments including surveys, interviews, focus groups, observation, documentation, critical incident reports, and journals.
For archived Book Reviews please follow the links provided below
Sucessful Service-Learning programs - New Models of Excellence in Higher Education
Higher Education for the Public Good
Introduction to Service-Learning Toolkit: Readings and Resources for Faculty
Where's the Learning in Service-Learning?