I’m excited to share that our new scholarly article has been published today in the academic journal the Middle Grades Review: Self-Directed Learning and Service Learning in Middle Grades: What are the Connections and Implications?

This one is a long time coming. I learned a great deal from Rachel Mark’s research on self direction, which inspired this article analyzing the connections between self-direction and service learning. Especially after the pandemic, and in the social media/attention economy, self direction in students is a challenge. After looking at the literature, it is clear that educators can build students’ self direction by engaging in intentional service learning that gives students independence, scaffolding, motivation, and communication skills to thrive. This article also shares a new framework that highlights the connections between these two concepts and approaches. I hope it is helpful to educators.

Let me know what you think!