Stephenson, Natalie Whitlock (2016) Service-learning in design education. PhD thesis, James Cook University.

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Abstract

This research sought to reveal the extent to which service-learning in design education (SLIDE) provides a mutually beneficial experience for undergraduate design students and community partners. A two-phased, mixed-methods study, employing surveys and case study research, was conducted to address the main research question. During the first phase, an online survey was administered with design educators in Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom to better understand the current practice of service-learning in design education. After this broad scan, a second survey was developed to discover the design-related needs that exist in the community, specifically at nonprofit organisations, thereby gaining perspective from the outside in. During the second phase, case study research was conducted at 12 sites to explain the results of the surveys and to holistically examine the university-community partnerships. The intersection of a service-learning taxonomy (Britt, 2009) with the orders of design (Buchanan, 2001) creates the theoretical framework for this research.

The findings demonstrate the benefits and challenges associated with service-learning for three stakeholder groups—undergraduate design students, community partners and design educators. This research confirms and extends theory in design (Buchanan, 2001) and service-learning (Morton, 1995; Britt, 2009). It also offers new insights into the roles that community partners play during design-related service-learning. The study contributes to what we already know about the complexities of design education in the twenty-first century and raises some important questions for the discipline in an effort to improve practice and build knowledge about SLIDE.

Item ID:	49576
Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Keywords:	case studies, community partners, design education, design students, design training, design, service learning
Date Deposited:	25 Jul 2017 02:56
FoR Codes:	12 BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND DESIGN > 1203 Design Practice and Management > 120301 Design History and Theory @ 50% 13 EDUCATION > 1302 Curriculum and Pedagogy > 130201 Creative Arts, Media and Communication Curriculum and Pedagogy @ 50%
SEO Codes:	97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970119 Expanding Knowledge through Studies of the Creative Arts and Writing @ 50% 93 EDUCATION AND TRAINING > 9302 Teaching and Instruction > 930201 Pedagogy @ 50%
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