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Version 1.1 – Updated August 2021

Service learning

Overview

  • Influence: Service learning
  • Domain: Technology, School, and Out-of-School Strategies
  • Sub-Domain: Out-of-school
  • Potential to Accelerate Student Achievement: Potential to accelerate
  • Influence Definition: A teaching strategy that combines community service with learning from classroom instruction. Students engage in community service activities and apply the experience to personal and academic development. The aim is to benefit both the community and the learner.

Evidence

  • Number of meta-analyses: 5
  • Number of studies: 120
  • Number of students: 18,050
  • Number of effects: 81
  • Effect size: 0.52

Meta-Analyses

Meta-Analyses
Journal Title Author First Author's Country Article Name Year Published Variable Number of Studies Number of Students Number of Effects Effect Size
Journal of Experiential Education Celio, Durlak & Dymnicki USA A meta-analysis of the impact of service-learning on students 2011 Service learning 62 11,837 17 0.43
Teaching of Psychology Conway, Amel, & Gerwein USA Teaching and learning in the social context: A meta-analysis of service learning's effects on academic, personal, social, and citizenship outcomes. 2009 Service learning 19 1,193 19 0.43
Unpublished Thesis White USA A Meta-Analysis of Service Learning Research in Middle and High Schools 2001 Service programs on academic progress 9 0 9 0.87
Academy of Management Learning & Education Yorio & Ye USA A Meta-Analysis on the Effects of Service-Learning on the Social, Personal, and Cognitive Outcomes of Learning 2012 Service programs on academic progress 19 2,891 25 0.53
Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning Warren USA Does Service-Learning Increase Student Learning?: A Meta-Analysis 2012 Service programs on academic progress 11 2,129 11 0.33
TOTAL/AVERAGE 120 18,050 81 0.52

Confidence

The Confidence is the average of these four measures, each divided into five approximately equal groups and assigned a value from 1 to 5 based on the following criteria:

  • Number of Meta-analyses
    • 1 = 1
    • 2 = 2–3
    • 3 = 4–6
    • 4 = 7–9
    • 5 = 10+
  • Number of Studies
    • 1 = 1–10
    • 2 = 11–50
    • 3 = 51–200
    • 4 = 201–400
    • 5 = 400+
  • Number of Students
    • 1 = 1–2,500
    • 2 = 2,501–10,000
    • 3 = 10,000–20,000
    • 4 = 20,000–100,000
    • 5 = 100,001+
  • Number of Effects
    • 1 = 1–100
    • 2 = 101–300
    • 3 = 301–600
    • 4 = 601–1,200
    • 5 = 1,200+
Confidences
Number of Meta-Analyses Number of Studies Number of Students Number of Effects Overall Confidence
Confidence Factor 3 3 3 1 3
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