Hieu P. Nguyen

Uniform Assessment of the Benefits of Service Learning: The Development, Evaluation, and Implementation of the Seleb Scale

This research discusses the development, refinement, and evaluation of the SErvice LEarning Benefit (SELEB) scale, a scale that measures student perceptions of service learning experiences. The final scale consists of 12 items representing four underlying dimensions—practical skills, interpersonal skills, citizenship, and personal responsibility. In a three-study investigation, we demonstrate that the SELEB scale is useful for evaluating the quality and effectiveness of service learning initiatives from the perspective of the students involved. The scale can be used to develop specific service learning objectives, to measure how effectively these objectives have been achieved, and to alter project-specific aspects in response to student input.

The Dark Side of Development in Vietnam Lessons from the Killing of the Thi Vai River

Vietnam has become an attractive destination for foreign investors looking to maximize economic gains due to an increasingly young and educated population, a fast growing middle class, political stability, low labor cost, and loose operational standards. The inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) has brought many positive outcomes to Vietnam, but its dark side is beginning to emerge. This article discusses one of the negative aspects of FDI-driven economic development in Vietnam through a high-profile, ongoing scandal involving Vedan, a Taiwanese company caught in the poisoning of the Thi Vai river. The authors provide implications for policy making and future research.