Skip to main content

Where Is the “Service” in Service-Learning? Critiquing International Programmes as a Means of Increasing the Global-Mindedness of Teacher Education Students

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Globalisation of Higher Education
  • 920 Accesses

Abstract

Universities are continuously looking for better ways to prepare their graduates for the world and workforce they will enter upon graduation. No longer does a university degree guarantee a rewarding career; therefore, universities are diversifying opportunities for students within their courses. Students also want to gain experience, through university programmes that will put them in good stead when they enter the workforce. Amongst those programmes are service-oriented opportunities and international service-learning programmes. This paper critiques international service-learning in light of recent and ongoing criticism about volunteerism and tokenistic exchange programmes. Using two such programmes as a baseline, the chapter analyses and critiques international service-oriented programmes in terms of their value to the student, the institution, and the “service” to the host organization.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Astin, A. W., Vogelgesang, L. J., Ikeda, E. K., & Yee, J. A. (2000). How service learning affects students. Where is the rest? Executive summary. Los Angeles, CA: Higher Education Research Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Billig, S. H. (2000). The effects of service learning (Service Learning General Paper 42). Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/slceslgen/42.

  • Boland, J. (2009). Teaching and learning through civic engagement: Prospects for sustainability in teacher education. Issues in Educational Research, 20(1), 1–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butin, D. W. (2006). The limits of service-learning in higher education. The Review of Higher Education, 29(4), 473–498.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buchanan, J., Major, J., Harbon, L., & Kearney, S. P. (2017). Preparing teachers through international experience: A collaborative critical analysis of four Australian programs. In C. Reid & J. Major (Eds.), Global teaching: Southern perspectives on working with diversity (pp. 167–188). New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Connell, R. (2007). Southern theory: The global dynamics of knowledge in social science. Crows Nest, Australia: Allen & Unwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crabtree, R. D. (2008). Theoretical foundations for international service learning. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 15(1), 18–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cruz, N. (1990). A challenge to the notion of service. In J. C. Kendall (Ed.), Combining service and learning: A resource book for community and public service (Vol. 1, pp. 321–323). Raleigh, NC: National Society for Internships and Experiential Learning.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eby, J. (1998). Why service-learning is bad? Retrieved from https://www1.villanova.edu/content/dam/villanova/artsci/servicelearning/WhyServiceLearningIsBad.pdf.

  • Eyler, J., & Giles, D. E. (1999). Where’s the learning in service learning? San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giles, D. E., & Eyler, J. (1994). The theoretical roots of service-learning. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 1(1), 7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harman, G. (2005). Internationalization of Australian higher education: A critical review of literature and research. In P. Ninnes & M. Hellsten (Eds.), Internationalizing higher education: Critical explorations of pedagogy and policy (pp. 119–140). Hong Kong: Comparative Education Research Centre.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Illich, I. (1968). To hell with good intentions. Retrieved from http://www.swaraj.org/illich_hell.htm.

  • Jacoby, B. (1996). Service learning in today’s higher education. In B. Jacoby (Ed.), Service learning in higher education (pp. 3–25). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kearney, S. P., Perkins, T., & Maakrun, J. (2014). A transformative experience: A short-term cross-cultural service-learning immersion to Kenya. Issues in Educational Research, 24(2), 229–237.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kearney, S. P., & Athota, V. S. (2017). International immersions experiences in higher education: Who benefits? In S. Hou (Ed.), Service-learning: Perspectives, goals, & outcomes. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Publishers. ISBN 978-1-53610-903-0. Retrieved from https://www.novapublishers.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=61048.

  • Maakrun, J. (2016). International service learning: Benefits to African teachers. Journal of Service Learning in Higher Education, 5(1), 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathers, K. (2012). Mr. Kristof, I presume? Saving Africa in the footsteps of Nicholas Kristof. Transition, 107, 14–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCormack, O., & O’Flaherty, J. (2010). Pre-service teacher’s views and attitudes towards integrating development education active learning methodologies into their teaching. Teacher and Teacher Education, 26(1), 1332–1339.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morton, K. (1995). The irony of service: Charity, project, and social change in service-learning. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 2, 19–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2009). Higher education to 2030, Volume 2: Globalisation. Executive summary. Retrieved from https://www.oecd.org/edu/ceri/highereducationto2030volume2globalisation.htm.

  • Osborne, R. E., Hammerich, S., & Hensley, C. (1998). Student effects of service-learning: Tracking change across a semester. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 5, 5–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peckeral, T., & Peters, K. (Eds.). (1998). Assessing internal and external outcomes of service learning collaborations. Denver, CO: Campus Compact National Centre for Community Colleges.

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell-Mundine, G., & Maakrun, J. (2015). Critical issues in cultural competence and service learning. Australian Association for Research in Education. Retrieved from http://www.aare.edu.au/publications-database.php/10083/critical-issues-in-cultural-competence-and-service-learning.

  • Schutt, R. K. (2009). Investigating the social world: The process and practice of research (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siwatu, K. O. (2007). Preservice teachers’ culturally responsive teaching self-efficacy and outcome expectancy beliefs. Teaching and Teacher Education, 23(7), 1086–1101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strain, C. R. (2005). Pedagogy and practice: Service-learning and students’ moral development. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 103, 61–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stanton, T. K., Giles, D. E., & Cruz, N. I. (1999). Service-learning: A movement’s pioneers reflect on its origins, practice, and future. Los Angeles, CA: Jossey-Bass Higher and Adult Education Series, Jossey-Bass Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoecker, R., Tyron, E. A., & Hilgendorf, A. (Eds.). (2009). The unheard voices: Community organisations and service learning. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Villegas, A. M., & Lucas, T. (2002). Preparing culturally responsive teachers rethinking the curriculum. Journal of Teacher Education, 53(1), 20–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vogelgesang, L. J., & Astin, A. W. (2000). Comparing the effects of service-learning and community service. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 7, 25–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wade, R. C., & Yarbrough, D. B. (1996). Portfolios: A tool for reflective thinking in teacher education. Teaching and Teacher Education: An International Journal of Research and Studies, 12(1), 63–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whaley, A. L., & Davis, K. E. (2007). Cultural competence and evidence-based practice in mental health services: A complementary perspective. American Psychologist, 62(6), 563–574.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Winkler, T. (2016). How (not) to start an orphanage. Crows Nest, Australia: Allen & Unwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zakaria, R. (2014). The white tourist’s burden. Al Jazeera America. Retrieved from http://america.aljazeera.com/opinions/2014/4/volunter-tourismwhitevoluntouristsafricaaidsorphans.html.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sean Kearney .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Kearney, S., Maakrun, J. (2018). Where Is the “Service” in Service-Learning? Critiquing International Programmes as a Means of Increasing the Global-Mindedness of Teacher Education Students. In: Hall, T., Gray, T., Downey, G., Singh, M. (eds) The Globalisation of Higher Education. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74579-4_25

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74579-4_25

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-74578-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-74579-4

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics