Dear MEDers,
As Chair of service-learning for MED in Toronto, one of my objectives is
to raise the profile of what I consider perhaps the most effective tool
available to the contemporary management professor. Service-learning is a
comprehensive pedagogy that requires a dramatic rethinking of the dynamic
of learning in the direction of participatory engagement. It can make
instruction real, and provide a bridge between often abstract academic
instruction and the practical world of work. My focus has been on
larger-scale, team-based service-learning engagements. With the US
Wheelchair Foundation we started a taxicab company for paraplegics, we
helped a struggling inner-city private high school craft and implement a
turnaround plan, and we established a not-for-profit corporation to provide
tutoring services to underprivileged high school students. In fact, we have
completed 11 such projects. I have had a great time doing this stuff, and I
think the students have benefited in a variety of ways. However, the
challenge of a service-learning project of the scale and scope of those
described here should not be underestimated. Because of this, I would like
to see as much practical discussion of service-learning as possible at the
Toronto meetings. Specifically, I am proposing three symposia: 1) the
theoretical foundations of service-learning; 2) lessons learned: a "how to"
guide to team-based service-learning engagements; and, 3) what we've done:
descriptions of completed projects or projects underway (aimed at
stimulating ideas in others). I have a couple of participants for 2) and
3), and I'd be happy to add more. However, I'm not sure I'm qualified (or,
put it this way: I know of others much more qualified) to lead the theory
discussion. So, any takers? If you would like to take part in any of these
sessions, get in touch with me and we'll coordinate the submissions.