Impact of Service Learning on Inter-Cultural Competence of Pre-Service Teachers

Location

CSU 203

Start Date

10-4-2018 10:00 AM

End Date

10-4-2018 11:00 AM

Student's Major

Elementary and Early Childhood Education

Student's College

Education

Mentor's Name

Elizabeth J. Sandell

Mentor's Department

Elementary and Early Childhood Education

Mentor's College

Education

Description

The population of the U.S. is becoming increasingly diverse in language and culture. And, the population of students in elementary and secondary schools is becoming more diverse. Pre-service teachers (PSTs) must experience and understand other cultures in order to become more inter-culturally competent (ICC). According to Hammer & Bennett (2010), ICC is "the capability to accurately understand and adapt behavior to cultural differences and commonality.” One way to do this is for PSTs to participate in Service Learning. According to the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse (NSLC), service learning is “a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities (NSLC, 2012). This study responded to the question: Do different types of Service Learning have different impacts on changes in inter-cultural competence of pre-service teachers? The data set included more than 800 students who took the general education course, Human Relations in a Multicultural Society. Students completed the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) at the beginning and at the conclusion of the semester (Hammer, Bennett, & Wiseman, 2003). Service Learning opportunities included 18 hours of volunteer work at organizations such as residences for disabled adults, English language tutoring of immigrants, home visits with children of new immigrants, and others. This general education course had a statistically significant impact on participants' ICC. However, data analysis found no statistically significant differences in ICC as a result of various Service Learning opportunities.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS
 
Apr 10th, 10:00 AM Apr 10th, 11:00 AM

Impact of Service Learning on Inter-Cultural Competence of Pre-Service Teachers

CSU 203

The population of the U.S. is becoming increasingly diverse in language and culture. And, the population of students in elementary and secondary schools is becoming more diverse. Pre-service teachers (PSTs) must experience and understand other cultures in order to become more inter-culturally competent (ICC). According to Hammer & Bennett (2010), ICC is "the capability to accurately understand and adapt behavior to cultural differences and commonality.” One way to do this is for PSTs to participate in Service Learning. According to the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse (NSLC), service learning is “a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities (NSLC, 2012). This study responded to the question: Do different types of Service Learning have different impacts on changes in inter-cultural competence of pre-service teachers? The data set included more than 800 students who took the general education course, Human Relations in a Multicultural Society. Students completed the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) at the beginning and at the conclusion of the semester (Hammer, Bennett, & Wiseman, 2003). Service Learning opportunities included 18 hours of volunteer work at organizations such as residences for disabled adults, English language tutoring of immigrants, home visits with children of new immigrants, and others. This general education course had a statistically significant impact on participants' ICC. However, data analysis found no statistically significant differences in ICC as a result of various Service Learning opportunities.

Recommended Citation

Brito Lino, Yuseina and Andrea Faye Aguila. "Impact of Service Learning on Inter-Cultural Competence of Pre-Service Teachers." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 10, 2018.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2018/oral-session-03/1