Social media platforms such as WhatsApp are increasingly used in formal education settings. However, there is little research to guide educators on how to set up effective peer tutoring groups on social media platforms, particularly between tutors and tutees who rarely meet face-to-face. In the context of a WhatsApp mathematics tutoring project,…

In early 2010, Stig Lanesskog, associate dean for the MBA program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, challenged a group of his students to venture beyond classroom polemics and into the lives of people in need. Lanesskog took them to South Dakota's Pine Ridge Reservation, a culturally rich and economically devastated area with…

The scene in Brian Griffin's bedroom looks like a cross between a charity telethon and an intense cramming session the night before a final exam. Mr. Griffin and about 10 of his classmates--fellow members of the Plainfield High School (Indiana) chapter of Students for Barack Obama--are sprawled around the room, cellphones in hand, studying voter…

Educators need to help kids help others so that they can help themselves. Volunteering does not involve competition or grades. This is one area where students don't have to worry about measuring up to the expectations of parents, teachers, and coaches. Students participate in charitable work to add another line to a college transcript or job…

When Gilberto Zelaya visited South Africa in 2000, he was struck by the high level of voter participation and turnout in that country. Back in the United States, Zelaya decided to work on voter participation in this country. As the voter empowerment director for the Montgomery County Board of Elections in Maryland, he organized a pilot program in…

Reports on a survey of youth from two high schools regarding their attitudes towards service. Findings suggest that they had somewhat positive attitudes toward service and believed their participation as volunteers was essential for resolving social problems. Of the youth not participating in service activities, the majority reported that they did…

Describes the concept and purpose of the National Center for Service-Learning (Washington, D.C.) and outlines some of the resources available to people interested in pursuing the concepts (giving and getting, acting and reflecting, serving and learning) further. (ERB)

Describes a hunger project conducted in one California high school that was designed to encourage apathetic students to become activists. The Hunger at Home project taught students about how hunger was a part of their community, then had the students brainstorm, formalize, and implement a variety of action plans. Details several of the students'…

This paper describes the Intergenerational Program, a high school volunteer program which matches students with older adults who receive help and companionship through the Independent Aging Program (San Jose, California). The history of the student program is reviewed, and the steps involved in establishing the program are outlined. Recruitment of…

In Knoxville, Illinois, high school students are learning child care skills, helping teachers, and saving the schools money. The aim of the program is to teach high school students responsibility. (Author/TE)

A program is described that provides potential dental school applicants with realistic exposure to dentistry, in cooperation with undergraduate career counseling offices. High school and college students serve as volunteer assistants in three different functions (instrument sterilization, miscellaneous office procedures, and actual dental…

Describes a program that is part of the Pupil Researcher Initiative (PRI) where volunteer Ph.D. students visit schools to help bring the excitement and wonder of science and engineering research to the classroom. The purpose of the Researchers in Residence program is to bring students and teachers in schools into contact with research scientists…

The concept of volunteerism is not well known in Japan and the word itself, "borantia" is borrowed from English. However, voluntary programs do exist in Japan. This report attempts to describe the way in which volunteerism operates (or does not operate) in Japan by discussing the organization of Japanese society, its implications for…

A staff member of the Outdoor Adventures Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln relates his experience in supervising the construction of the first low ropes course in Yucatan, Mexico. During 1994, two staff members visited Yucatan to explore trip possibilities for the program and to inquire about a future conference location. While leading…

This guide contains examples of volunteer projects related to solid waste management. Volunteering provides the opportunity to enjoy new experiences, meet new people, learn new skills, and put ideas and talents to work. The stories included in this guide are: (1) Raucous Revelry and Recycling: Penn State Beaver Stadium Post-Game Recycling…