Service Learning with Criminal Justice Majors: A Comparison of Campus and Virtual Students on Learning Outcomes

• In Event: The Assessment of Learning Outcomes for Criminal Justice Students

Abstract

Service learning is an academic tool used to engage students in a hands-on approach to targeting a community need with a strong emphasis on reflection. While many studies utilizing criminal justice students have shown that campus students see the value in such experience, little is known about those enrolled in an online criminal justice course. The current study compared a final reflection assignment based on creating an informational training on gender-based violence for a section of campus and online students. OLS regression was used to assess whether there was a difference between the virtual and campus course based on participant characteristics. Consistent with previous findings of online learning in criminal justice courses, the results revealed no significant gender, age, or grade classification differences in the overall assignment scores. In addition, no differences were found when assessing critical thinking, personal impact, or awareness for any of the participant demographic characteristics. Little is known about service learning for online criminal justice students. The current findings would suggest that criminal justice professors should invest more time in the creation of service learning opportunities for online students as they are able to gain the same valuable experiences as their equivalent campus students.

Authors

• April Terry, Fort Hays State University & Kansas State University

• Vivian Hughes, Florida State University