Educating the next generation for public service : integrating service-learning into the art classroom

This thesis establishes an understanding of how public school art teachers are incorporating service-learning into their art classroom curriculum. Through conversations with three public school art teachers and one administrator, observations of the teachers' instruction, and written reflections from several students, I have introduced how service-learning can impact students. Additionally, this thesis identifies resources that help create and sustain a successful service-learning curriculum. Using case study methodology, an investigation was made of service-learning philosophies and perspectives, methods of application and practice, and impacts on the students and the art classroom environment. Through this research I have gained an understanding of what I believe to be best practices of service-learning found in the art classroom, which are particularly helpful for real world application.