SERVICE-LEARNING IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY EDUCATION

Service-Learning in Occupational Therapy Education: Philosophy and Practice will explore the use of service-learning as a pedagogical tool for educators to enhance occupational therapy students’ knowledge and skills in the areas of critical thinking and problem solving, diversity, health promotion, community issues, social justice and citizenship. These areas are representative of core competencies needed by occupational therapy professionals for occupation-based practice in the 21st century. This book will describe philosophical and theoretical principles of service-learning in relationship to occupational therapy philosophical and pedagogical traditions. Effective service-learning educational strategies and experiential applications of occupational therapy in the community will be highlighted through the presentation of case studies of service-learning initiatives in occupational therapy programs across the United States. Examples of how to design, implement and assess service-learning projects and partnerships will be provided along with insights and lessons learned from faculty engaging in service learning. Samples of syllabi, readings, websites, assignments and assessments will be provided to encourage faculty to explore service-learning for course and curricular use.