The University of South Carolina s Service-Learning and Teacher Education Project (SLATE) is examining the significant influence service-learning has on the education of teachers. The project also helps to support new initiatives that strengthen the linkages between service-learning and teacher education. Teacher education at USC includes a strong service-learning and teacher education through three means:
1) The description and analysis of unique features, promising practices, and significant outcomes of existing service-learning in USC s teacher education program and in other teacher education programs in South Carolina.
2) The study of the knowledge and attitudes of USC faculty and students in teacher education as related to service-learning.
3) Development of technical assistance capability to assist other teacher education programs in South Carolina to further strengthen their service-learning activities.
The SLATE Project is guided by a management team of USC College of Education faculty who are experienced service-learning practitioners and scholars. An advisory team comprised of diverse stakeholders in service-learning provides direction and continuing support for the project. SLATE Project activities include:
1) Carrying out research on all facets of service-learning in teacher education at USC and in other selected programs in South Carolina.
2) Planning and developing strategies for strengthening service-learning and teacher education throughout South Carolina.
3) Participating in the development of new service-learning and teacher education research initiatives through the partnership with the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.
4) Piloting innovative service-learning and teacher education projects in USC s Professional Development Schools.
5) Providing staff development on service-learning activities for USC faculty and collaborating Professional Development Schools.
6) Publishing research findings that emanate from the project for dissemination to other education professionals. The SLATE Project aims to strengthen the role of service-learning in teacher education through providing research, training, and leadership in this critical area of teacher education.
Contact: cgrugan {at} sc(.)edu or http://www.ite.sc.edu/default.html
