What Every Speech-Language Pathologist/Audiologist Should Know About Service Learning

Jennifer Kent-Walsh, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, S-LP(C), is an associate professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Central Florida (UCF). In addition to conducting research and teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and language disorders, Dr. Kent-Walsh is the Director of the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST) Atlantic Region Assistive Technology Demonstration Center at UCF. Dr. Kent-Walsh and her research collaborator, Cathy Binger, Ph.D., conduct research relating to the development and evaluation of interventions to improve language and communication outcomes for children with developmental disabilities who use AAC. In 2010, Dr. Kent-Walsh and Dr. Binger published a primer on AAC entitled What Every Speech-Language Pathologist/Audiologist should know about Augmentative and Alternative Communication (Allyn & Bacon, 2010). Dr. Kent-Walsh also conducts research to evaluate outcomes of service-learning in communication sciences and disorders and has received a number of awards for her research in both service-learning and AAC.

 

1. What Is Service-Learning (SL)?                                            

    Introduction                                                                             

    Defining Service-Learning                                                       

    Essential Elements of Service-Learning                                   

 

2. SL in Communication Sciences & Disorders                     

    A Service-Learning Project Model for Communication 
    Sciences & Disorders                                                         

    Practice-Oriented Projects                                                                         

    Policy-Oriented Projects                                                                            

 

3. Key Players & Common SL Expectations                           

Students                                                                                 

    Community Partner Personnel                                                

    University Faculty Members / Course Instructors                  

 

4. Evidence of Learning: Sample SL Project                          

       Detailed Service-Learning Project Example: TeenTech         

 

5. Model SL Project Components & Procedures                     

    Service-Learning Project Stages                                           

    Suggested Tools for Successful Service-Learning Projects   

    Wrap-Up                                                                                




6. Sample Service-Learning Forms                                         

Appendix A

    Sample Service-Learning Project Descriptions                  

Appendix B

    Sample Service-Learning Project Contract                        

Appendix C

     Sample Service-Learning Activity Hour Log                      

Appendix D

    Weekly Reflection Tool                                                      

Appendix E

    Sample Service-Learning Agency Evaluation Form           

Appendix F

    Sample Service-Learning Self-/Peer Evalu