The document is a pre-survey for a service learning course. It contains 21 questions that ask students about their prior experience with and views on service learning, civic engagement, social justice, and community service. The survey also includes questions that ask students to rate their skills and beliefs related to political and social issues. The purpose is to help gauge the impact of service-learning courses and collect information before the course begins.
1. PRE SURVEY:
Service Learning Survey
Please answer the questions below with your honest opinion. It is best to answer with your
immediate, gut reaction, rather than pondering the question for an extended period of time. This is
not about how you would “like to think” or what you “think the teacher wants to hear,” but about
your true reaction. The survey is completely anonymous and does not count in any way towards
your course grade. The purpose is to help us gauge the impact of service-learning courses at Salem
State.
1. Have you participated in service learning before:
Yes______ NO_____
Explain:
2. How do you define service learning?
3. At this point in time, if you were a classroom teacher, how likely would you be to use service
learning as a teaching strategy?
5------------------------4------------------------3------------------------2------------------------1
Very likely will do Not likely
Explain:
4. Rate the connection between teaching social studies and your own learning of what is
happening in current events nationally and locally:
5------------------------4------------------------3------------------------2------------------------1
Strong connection Weak connection
Explain:
5. Rate the connection between teaching social studies and your own civic engagement through
service learning or other types of public participation (i.e. political action, volunteerism):
5------------------------4------------------------3------------------------2------------------------1
Strong connection Weak Connection
Explain:
2. 6. Listed below are some skills that people use in various situations. Please rate
how well you can do each along a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 means that you can’t do
this and 5 means that you can do this very well.
Can do Cann
this very ot do
well this
Know whom to contact to get something done 5 4 3 2 1
about social or political problems
Develop strategies for political action 5 4 3 2 1
Organize people for political action 5 4 3 2 1
Reach a compromise 5 4 3 2 1
Help diverse groups work together 5 4 3 2 1
Deal with conflict when it come up 5 4 3 2 1
Talk about social barriers such as race 5 4 3 2 1
Recognize conflicting political interests 5 4 3 2 1
Write well about political topics 5 4 3 2 1
Weigh the pros and cons of different political 5 4 3 2 1
positions
Articulate my ideas and beliefs to others 5 4 3 2 1
Assume leadership of a group 5 4 3 2 1
Make a statement at a public meeting 5 4 3 2 1
7. Please use the following scale to respond to these statements along the following
scale where 1 is very strongly disagree and 5 is very strongly agree.
Very Very
Strongly Stron
Agree gly
Disa
gree
I feel that I have a pretty good understanding of 5 4 3 2 1
the political issues facing this country
I believe that I have a role to play in the political 5 4 3 2 1
process
When policy issues are being discussed, I 5 4 3 2 1
usually have something to say
I think I am better informed about politics and 5 4 3 2 1
government than most people
I consider myself well-qualified to participate in 5 4 3 2 1
the political process.
8. By participating in community service I can make a meaningful contribution to the
community.
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agree strongly agree neutral disagree disagree strongly
3. 9. I know how to find community service opportunities relevant to my interests and/or abilities.
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agree strongly agree neutral disagree disagree strongly
10. I know what social justice is.
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agree strongly agree neutral disagree disagree strongly
11. I can help individuals in need by participating in community service activities.
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agree strongly agree neutral disagree disagree strongly
12. Through community service I can apply classroom knowledge in ways that solve “real-life”
problems.
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agree strongly agree neutral disagree disagree strongly
13. I am confident that through community service I can promote social justice.
5------------------------4------------------------3------------------------2------------------------1
agree strongly agree neutral disagree disagree strongly
14. I will likely volunteer for community service activities on my own after the conclusion of this
course.
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agree strongly agree neutral disagree disagree strongly
15. I am aware of my own stereotypes of others
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agree strongly agree neutral disagree disagree strongly
16. Community service takes too much time away from real class activities.
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agree strongly agree neutral disagree disagree strongly
17. I am committed to making a positive difference in my community.
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agree strongly agree neutral disagree disagree strongly
4. 18. I think people in need rely too heavily on the social service system.
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agree strongly agree neutral disagree disagree strongly
19. Community service activities help me understand the course material.
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agree strongly agree neutral disagree disagree strongly
20. I want to help others and make a difference in my community.
5------------------------4------------------------3------------------------2------------------------1
agree strongly agree neutral disagree disagree strongly
21. Year: [ ] Sophomore [ ] Junior [ ] Senior
22. Major: ____________________________________(not your education major but your double major)
Disclosure Statement
This anonymous survey is part of the research project disclosed in the consent form distributed in
class. While your participation is highly appreciated, it is completely voluntary and will not affect
involvement or grading in the course in any way.
If you have any questions about this survey, you may contact Anneliese Mueller Worster, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor in Childhood Education Department at aworster@salemstate.edu.
For concerns about your treatment as a research participant, please contact:
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Sponsored Programs and Research Administration Salem State University 352 Lafayette Street
Salem, MA 01970 (978) 542-7556 or (978) 542-7177 or irb@salemstate.edu