Service-Learning and Educating in Challenging Contexts ― International Perspectives

Service-Learning and Educating in Challenging Contexts explores the potential of service-learning identified as a way to integrate community service with academic study to enrich the on-going professional development of educators, especially in schools that are located in challenging contexts. This collection offers a further refinement of what typically comes under the remit of service-learning, switching the focus from the learning experience of the learner, to the educator and the deep and enriching professional learning opportunities that service-learning can offer. This approach to service-learning promotes collaborative practices amongst professional and in-service educators, and encourages an integration of theory and practice. The international contributors use their own experiences as well as current research to provide a thorough exploration of service-learning from national and international perspectives.

Timothy Murphy is Lecturer in Educational Research and Policy at the University of Limerick, Ireland. He is on the Board of Advisors at the International Center for Service-Learning in Teacher Education (ICSLTE).

Jon E. C. Tan is Senior Lecturer in the School of Education and Childhood at Leeds Metropolitan University, UK.