Including service learning in the undergraduate communication sciences and disorders curriculum: benefits, challenges, and strategies for success

• Published in: American journal of audiology Vol. 20; no. 2; p. S181
• Main Author: Peters, Kimberly A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-12-2011
• Subjects: Audiology - education; Child; Communication Disorders - therapy; Community-Institutional Relations; Curriculum; Hearing Disorders - therapy; Humans; Internship, Nonmedical - organization & administration; Speech-Language Pathology - education; Universities - organization & administration; Washington; Washington
• ISSN: 1558-9137
• DOI: 10.1044/1059-0889(2011/10-0031)

To describe some of the benefits of service learning (SL), considerations in course development and construction, and implementation and outcomes of an SL course in the undergraduate communication sciences and disorders (CSD) program at a small, public university in northwest Washington.
A review of the literature on SL and a description of the author's experience in course development are provided on the basis of a computerized database search, library search, and discussions with the Western Washington University Center for Service Learning.
Teaching an SL course can present challenges to both faculty and students; nonetheless, incorporating SL into the undergraduate CSD curriculum is an excellent way of enriching the academic experience and improving critical-thinking skills of young students. SL provides hands-on opportunities for students to apply what they are learning in their CSD classes to real-world contexts, gain a better understanding of course content through engagement in real situations, and integrate information from a variety of courses in and outside of their major.