Research Article
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The Impact of A Service-Learning Project on Undergraduate Students’ Faith Development and Spiritual Formation: Outcomes of an Organization and Administrative Behavior Course

Year 2018, , 187 - 194, 15.08.2018
https://doi.org/10.12973/ijem.4.3.187

Abstract

Spiritual growth and development is frequently cited as an outcome of participation in service-learning projects.  However, little research has focused on measuring the students' ability to understand the connection between the service-learning experience and their personal faith and the ability to live out their Christian values in the field.  Notably missing from this particularly limited area of study is the Christian values convergence of being able to understand the worth of all people and a desire to be engaged in serving the community. Encompassing both quantitative and qualitative research methods, this study investigates undergraduate business students’ perceptions of the impact of a semester-long urban service-learning project on their spiritual lives and faith formation.  Specific attention is given to exploring the students' perception of faith as demarcated by the Christian praxis of the students' relationship with God and with others.

References

  • Astin, A. W., Vogelgesang, L. J., Ikeda, E. K., & Yee, J. A. (2000). How Service Learning Affects Students. Los Angeles: Higher Education Research Institute.
  • Billig, S., & Furco, A. (Eds.) (2002). Service learning through a multi-disciplinary lens Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishing.
  • Bowman, N., & Small, J. (2010). Do College Students Who Identify with a Privileged Religion Experience Greater Spiritual Development? Exploring Individual and Institutional Dynamics. Research in Higher Education, 51(7), 595-614.
  • Budhai, S. (2012) A Symbiotic Relationship? Exploring the Relationships Between College Students and Community Partners who Engage in a Shared Service-Learning Project, Published Doctoral Dissertation, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 1- 143.
  • Campbell, C. G., & Oswald, B. R. (2018). Promoting Critical Thinking Through Service Learning. Teaching of Psychology, 45(2), 193-199.
  • Clark, P. (1999). Service-learning education in community-academic partnerships: Implications for interdisciplinary, Educational Gerontology, 25(7), 641-660.
  • Dickerson, M., Helm-Stevens, R., & Fall, R. (2017). Service-Learning in Business Education: An Analysis of Spirituality, Leadership, and Motivation, American Journal of Economics and Business Administration, 9(1), 1-12.
  • Eyler, J., & Giles Jr., D. E. (1999). Where’s the learning in service-learning? San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
  • Helm-Stevens, R., & Griego, O. V. (2009a). An empirical assessment of service learning in business courses. Interbeing, 3(1), 45-53.
  • Helm-Stevens, R., & Griego, O. V. (2009b). A Path Analysis Model of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Academic Motivation Engagement in Service Learning, Review of Business Research, 9(1), 99-103.
  • Howard, J. (1998). Academic service learning a counternormative pedagogy. New Directions for Teaching & Learning, 1998(73), 21-29.
  • Feenstra, J. S. (2011). Vocational Exploration through Service: The Effect of Service- Learning on Student Understanding of God's Calling. Journal of Education & Christian Belief, 15(1), 65-74.
  • Firmin, M. W., Tse, L. M., Johnson, C., Vorobyov, Y., & McKeon, J. (2014). Religious impact of a poverty immersion experience on college students. Christian Higher Education, 13(2), 130-144.
  • Gay, B. (2000). Fostering Spiritual Development through the Religious Dimension of Schools: the report of a pilot study in 17 independent schools. International Journal of Children's Spirituality, 5(1), 61-74.
  • Gunnlaugson, O., & Vokey, D. (2014). Evolving a public language of spirituality for transforming academic and campus life. Innovations in Education & Teaching International, 51(4), 436-445.
  • Lamson, A., Ballard, S.M., & LaClaire, S. (2006), Creating an effective intergenerational service-learning experience: Components of the UGIVE Program. Journal of Teaching in Marriage and Family, 6, 186-205.
  • Levisohn, J. A. (2011). Becoming a servant. Journal of Jewish Communal Service, 87(1/2), 104-112.
  • Likert, R. (1932). A technique for the measurement of attitudes. Archives of Psychology, 140, 1-55.
  • Love, P. G. (2001). Spirituality and student development: Theoretical connections. New Directions for Student Services, 2001(95), 7-21.
  • McKinnon, T. H., & Fealy, G. (2011). Core principles for developing global service-learning programs in nursing. Nursing Education Perspectives (National League for Nursing), 32(2), 95-100.
  • Moore, S. S., Hope, E. C., Eisman, A. B., & Zimmerman, M. A. (2016). Predictors of civic engagement among highly involved young adults: exploring the relationship between agency and systems worldview. Journal of Community Psychology, 44(7), 888-903.
  • Ngai, S. S. (2006). Service-learning, personal development, and social commitment: a case study of university students in Hong Kong. Adolescence, 41(161), 165-176.
  • Otto, P., & Harrington, M. (2016). Spiritual formation within christian higher education. Christian Higher Education, 15(5), 252-262.
  • Park, D., Helm, R., Kipley, D., & Hancock, D. (2009). Connecting faith & personal values with the service learning experience to create more effective service learning. Business Renaissance Quarterly, 4(3), 61-76.
  • Parks, S. (2000). Big Questions, Worthy Dreams: Mentoring Young Adults in Their Search for Meaning, Purpose, and Faith. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
  • Plante, T. G., Lackey, K., & Jeong Yeon, H. (2009). The impact of immersion trips on development of compassion among college students. Journal Of Experiential Education, 32(1), 28-43.
  • Reed, V. A., Jernstedt, G. C., Hawley, J. K., Reber, E. S., & DuBois, C. A. (2005). Effects of a small-scale, very short-term service-learning experience on college students. Journal of Adolescence, 28(3), 359-368.
  • Reed-Bouley, J. (2012). Antiracist theological education as a site of struggle for justice. Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion (Indiana University Press), 28(1), 178-189.
  • Reising, D., Allen, P., & Hall, S. (2006). Student and community outcomes in service- learning: Part 1--student perceptions, Journal of Nursing Education, 45(12), 512-515.
  • Ricke, A. (2018). Finding the right fit: Helping students apply theory to service-learning contexts. Journal of Experiential Education, 41(1), 8-22.
  • Robbins, M. (2001). MFT researchers gain crucial skills, feedback, support. Family Therapy News, 32(4), 1-27.
  • Roels, S. J. (2017). Educating for Vocation: Weaving Educational Ideas with Institutional Practices. Christian Higher Education, 16(1/2), 92-106.
  • Saroglou, V. (2010). Religiousness as a Cultural Adaptation of Basic Traits: A Five-Factor Model Perspective. Personality & Social Psychology Review (Sage Publications Inc.), 14(1), 108-125.
  • Sikula, J., & Sikula Sr., A. (2005). Spirituality and service learning. New Directions for Teaching & Learning, 2005(104), 75-81.
  • Tashakkori, A., & Teddlie, C. (1998). Mixed methodology: Combining qualitative and quantitative approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • Tucker, M., McCarthy, A., Hoxmeier, J., & Lenk, M. (1998). Community service learning increases communication skills across the business curriculum. Business Communication Quarterly, 61(2), 88-99.
  • Wallace, E. (2017). How christian students' academic, emotional, spiritual, and social experiences impact their spiritual identity and development at a secular institution: A grounded theory approach. Journal of Ethnographic & Qualitative Research, 12(1), 63-74.
  • Yan, W., & Rodgers, R. (2006). Impact of service-learning and social justice education on college students’ cognitive development, NASPA Journal, 43(2), 316-337.
  • Younghee, L., Maccio, E. M., Bickham, T., & Dabney, W. F. (2017). Research-based service-learning: outcomes of a social policy course. Social Work Education, 36(7), 809-822.
Year 2018, , 187 - 194, 15.08.2018
https://doi.org/10.12973/ijem.4.3.187

Abstract

References

  • Astin, A. W., Vogelgesang, L. J., Ikeda, E. K., & Yee, J. A. (2000). How Service Learning Affects Students. Los Angeles: Higher Education Research Institute.
  • Billig, S., & Furco, A. (Eds.) (2002). Service learning through a multi-disciplinary lens Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishing.
  • Bowman, N., & Small, J. (2010). Do College Students Who Identify with a Privileged Religion Experience Greater Spiritual Development? Exploring Individual and Institutional Dynamics. Research in Higher Education, 51(7), 595-614.
  • Budhai, S. (2012) A Symbiotic Relationship? Exploring the Relationships Between College Students and Community Partners who Engage in a Shared Service-Learning Project, Published Doctoral Dissertation, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 1- 143.
  • Campbell, C. G., & Oswald, B. R. (2018). Promoting Critical Thinking Through Service Learning. Teaching of Psychology, 45(2), 193-199.
  • Clark, P. (1999). Service-learning education in community-academic partnerships: Implications for interdisciplinary, Educational Gerontology, 25(7), 641-660.
  • Dickerson, M., Helm-Stevens, R., & Fall, R. (2017). Service-Learning in Business Education: An Analysis of Spirituality, Leadership, and Motivation, American Journal of Economics and Business Administration, 9(1), 1-12.
  • Eyler, J., & Giles Jr., D. E. (1999). Where’s the learning in service-learning? San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
  • Helm-Stevens, R., & Griego, O. V. (2009a). An empirical assessment of service learning in business courses. Interbeing, 3(1), 45-53.
  • Helm-Stevens, R., & Griego, O. V. (2009b). A Path Analysis Model of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Academic Motivation Engagement in Service Learning, Review of Business Research, 9(1), 99-103.
  • Howard, J. (1998). Academic service learning a counternormative pedagogy. New Directions for Teaching & Learning, 1998(73), 21-29.
  • Feenstra, J. S. (2011). Vocational Exploration through Service: The Effect of Service- Learning on Student Understanding of God's Calling. Journal of Education & Christian Belief, 15(1), 65-74.
  • Firmin, M. W., Tse, L. M., Johnson, C., Vorobyov, Y., & McKeon, J. (2014). Religious impact of a poverty immersion experience on college students. Christian Higher Education, 13(2), 130-144.
  • Gay, B. (2000). Fostering Spiritual Development through the Religious Dimension of Schools: the report of a pilot study in 17 independent schools. International Journal of Children's Spirituality, 5(1), 61-74.
  • Gunnlaugson, O., & Vokey, D. (2014). Evolving a public language of spirituality for transforming academic and campus life. Innovations in Education & Teaching International, 51(4), 436-445.
  • Lamson, A., Ballard, S.M., & LaClaire, S. (2006), Creating an effective intergenerational service-learning experience: Components of the UGIVE Program. Journal of Teaching in Marriage and Family, 6, 186-205.
  • Levisohn, J. A. (2011). Becoming a servant. Journal of Jewish Communal Service, 87(1/2), 104-112.
  • Likert, R. (1932). A technique for the measurement of attitudes. Archives of Psychology, 140, 1-55.
  • Love, P. G. (2001). Spirituality and student development: Theoretical connections. New Directions for Student Services, 2001(95), 7-21.
  • McKinnon, T. H., & Fealy, G. (2011). Core principles for developing global service-learning programs in nursing. Nursing Education Perspectives (National League for Nursing), 32(2), 95-100.
  • Moore, S. S., Hope, E. C., Eisman, A. B., & Zimmerman, M. A. (2016). Predictors of civic engagement among highly involved young adults: exploring the relationship between agency and systems worldview. Journal of Community Psychology, 44(7), 888-903.
  • Ngai, S. S. (2006). Service-learning, personal development, and social commitment: a case study of university students in Hong Kong. Adolescence, 41(161), 165-176.
  • Otto, P., & Harrington, M. (2016). Spiritual formation within christian higher education. Christian Higher Education, 15(5), 252-262.
  • Park, D., Helm, R., Kipley, D., & Hancock, D. (2009). Connecting faith & personal values with the service learning experience to create more effective service learning. Business Renaissance Quarterly, 4(3), 61-76.
  • Parks, S. (2000). Big Questions, Worthy Dreams: Mentoring Young Adults in Their Search for Meaning, Purpose, and Faith. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
  • Plante, T. G., Lackey, K., & Jeong Yeon, H. (2009). The impact of immersion trips on development of compassion among college students. Journal Of Experiential Education, 32(1), 28-43.
  • Reed, V. A., Jernstedt, G. C., Hawley, J. K., Reber, E. S., & DuBois, C. A. (2005). Effects of a small-scale, very short-term service-learning experience on college students. Journal of Adolescence, 28(3), 359-368.
  • Reed-Bouley, J. (2012). Antiracist theological education as a site of struggle for justice. Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion (Indiana University Press), 28(1), 178-189.
  • Reising, D., Allen, P., & Hall, S. (2006). Student and community outcomes in service- learning: Part 1--student perceptions, Journal of Nursing Education, 45(12), 512-515.
  • Ricke, A. (2018). Finding the right fit: Helping students apply theory to service-learning contexts. Journal of Experiential Education, 41(1), 8-22.
  • Robbins, M. (2001). MFT researchers gain crucial skills, feedback, support. Family Therapy News, 32(4), 1-27.
  • Roels, S. J. (2017). Educating for Vocation: Weaving Educational Ideas with Institutional Practices. Christian Higher Education, 16(1/2), 92-106.
  • Saroglou, V. (2010). Religiousness as a Cultural Adaptation of Basic Traits: A Five-Factor Model Perspective. Personality & Social Psychology Review (Sage Publications Inc.), 14(1), 108-125.
  • Sikula, J., & Sikula Sr., A. (2005). Spirituality and service learning. New Directions for Teaching & Learning, 2005(104), 75-81.
  • Tashakkori, A., & Teddlie, C. (1998). Mixed methodology: Combining qualitative and quantitative approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • Tucker, M., McCarthy, A., Hoxmeier, J., & Lenk, M. (1998). Community service learning increases communication skills across the business curriculum. Business Communication Quarterly, 61(2), 88-99.
  • Wallace, E. (2017). How christian students' academic, emotional, spiritual, and social experiences impact their spiritual identity and development at a secular institution: A grounded theory approach. Journal of Ethnographic & Qualitative Research, 12(1), 63-74.
  • Yan, W., & Rodgers, R. (2006). Impact of service-learning and social justice education on college students’ cognitive development, NASPA Journal, 43(2), 316-337.
  • Younghee, L., Maccio, E. M., Bickham, T., & Dabney, W. F. (2017). Research-based service-learning: outcomes of a social policy course. Social Work Education, 36(7), 809-822.
There are 39 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Studies on Education
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Roxanne Helm-stevens This is me

Dan Kipley This is me

Todd Pheifer This is me

Publication Date August 15, 2018
Published in Issue Year 2018

Cite

APA Helm-stevens, R., Kipley, D., & Pheifer, T. (2018). The Impact of A Service-Learning Project on Undergraduate Students’ Faith Development and Spiritual Formation: Outcomes of an Organization and Administrative Behavior Course. International Journal of Educational Methodology, 4(3), 187-194. https://doi.org/10.12973/ijem.4.3.187