Shimko, Emily
(2019)
Conducting a Comprehensive Needs Assessment of Health and Exercise Science Undergraduates for Service-Learning Preparation.
Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
Service-learning is derived from experiential learning and consciousness-raising models. Health and Exercise Science students can benefit from participating in a service-learning experience to improve academic knowledge and develop professional skills in their chosen field. The current needs assessment explored two inquiry questions using a mixed methods approach: 1) What are Health and Exercise Science undergraduate students’ perceptions and expectations regarding service-learning? and 2) What are undergraduate students’ level of and relationship between self-efficacy and confidence in skills for service-learning? Undergraduate students participated in focus groups to assess their perceptions and expectations of service-learning and completed surveys to rate their perceived self-efficacy for and confidence in skills for service- learning. The setting of the needs assessment was a small, private University located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Twenty-six undergraduates in the Health Sciences and Exercise and Sports Science majors provided data for this inquiry project. The three themes that emerged from the focus group discussions were related to the participants’ perceived benefits, challenges, and recommendations for service-learning. Survey results showed a high baseline level of self-efficacy and confidence in skills for service-learning. There was also a strong, positive correlation between self-efficacy and skills. Findings from this study will lay the groundwork to create a service-learning course in the upcoming academic year. Key takeaways that will be applied to this future course include
Abstract
iv
involving students in the planning phase and integrating a pre-service orientation session to prepare students for a future service-learning experience.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| ETD Committee: |
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| Date: |
25 September 2019 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
25 June 2019 |
| Approval Date: |
25 September 2019 |
| Submission Date: |
8 July 2019 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Number of Pages: |
146 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Education > Health and Physical Activity |
| Degree: |
EdD - Doctor of Education |
| Thesis Type: |
Doctoral Dissertation |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
service-learning, health, undergraduate |
| Date Deposited: |
25 Sep 2019 15:28 |
| Last Modified: |
25 Sep 2019 15:28 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/37063 |
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