Hybrid Expeditionary Service Learning Model

Abstract

Service learning is an educational model that incorporates instruction, learning, service, and reflection. Many critics have highlighted weaknesses of service learning including its inability to address structural issues, build authentic relationships with communities, assess learning, and meet community goals. Expeditionary learning is a newer learning methodology that includes a focus on social justice, provides more time for building relationships and understanding community goals, and utilizes a portfolio-based assessment approach. Because Expeditionary Learning can address some of the weaknesses of service learning, we present Hybrid Expeditionary Service Learning--a new service-learning model that employs an expeditionary learning design and embeds both the classes and service of the service-learning program within learning expeditions. The paper highlights the rationale, benefits, and mechanics of how the expeditionary learning model reinforces service learning, and also how the service-learning model can reinforce expeditionary learning.