Abstract

This study addressed how to use service learning (SL) as a means of faith integration (FI) in a doctoral course on ethical leadership. Based on my 20 years of teaching experience in the field of education, my perception has been that graduate students sometimes complete their degree with a greater emphasis on self-actualization than on serving others. One emphasis of the ethical leadership course that was the context for this study was how to respond to ethical dilemmas through considering the viewpoint of others. Two research questions guided the study: First, how can SL and FI be implemented in a course on ethical leadership in education? Second, how can serving others through faith and learning in action influence the understanding of ethical leadership in doctoral candidates? A scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) methodology was implemented in this study. This methodological approach aims to promote course improvement by using student assessments, faculty and student reflections, and/or quantitative data to determine the effectiveness of teaching and learning strategies. The intended outcome of SoTL is for others to use the research findings to improve course construction and student learning within their own academic contexts. The findings of this study indicated that implementing SL activities and FI into the course strengthened students’ application of ethical leadership by having them consider the viewpoint of others. Faculty members teaching courses in ethical leadership and other related courses at Christian universities might be well advised to create SL opportunities to help promote faith and learning.

摘要

本研究探讨了如何在伦理领导博士课程中使用服务学习 (SL) 作为信仰整合 (FI) 的一种手段。根据我在教育领域 20 年的教学经验，我的看法是，研究生有时在完成学位时更强调自我实现而不是为他人服务。作为本研究背景的伦理领导课程的一个重点是如何通过考虑他人的观点来应对伦理困境。两个研究问题指导了这项研究：首先，如何在教育道德领导力课程中实施 SL 和 FI？第二，通过信仰为他人服务和在行动中学习如何影响博士生对道德领导力的理解？本研究实施了教学和学习奖学金 (SoTL) 方法。这种方法旨在通过使用学生评估、教师和学生反思和/或定量数据来确定教学和学习策略的有效性来促进课程改进。SoTL 的预期结果是让其他人在他们自己的学术环境中使用研究结果来改善课程建设和学生学习。本研究的结果表明，在课程中实施 SL 活动和 FI 通过让学生考虑他人的观点来加强他们对道德领导的应用。