A volume in Advances in Service-Learning Research Series Editor Shelley
H. Billig, RMC Research Corporation, Denver Research on service-learning
and community engagement has exploded over the past decade. It is a
field now characterized by increasing methodological and theoretical
sophistication, vast quantitative and qualitative studies,
interdisciplinary research, myriad subjects, and the
internationalization of scholarship. The papers in this volume were
selected from nearly 100 presentations made at the 2009 annual
conference of the International Association for Research on Service
Learning and Community Engagement held in Ottawa, Canada's national
capital. The conference theme, Research for What? emphasized fundamental
questions, namely: to what extent is rigorous research uncovering best
practices in, and demonstrating the positive results of,
service-learning on teaching, learning and building better communities?
The papers examine such themes through lenses that include the
application of theory to practice, K-12 and university-based
service-learning, interdisciplinary initiatives, and international
service-learning. The introduction provides an overview of the very
recent, but remarkable, growth of service-learning in Canada, and the
conclusion, written by the recipient of the Association's annual
Distinguished Researcher Award, discusses major developments, and
continuing challenges, in service-learning research.
