The Impact of Direct Involvement I and Direct Involvement II Experiences on Secondary School Students’ Social Capital,as Measured by Co-Cognitive Factors of the Operation Houndstooth Intervention Theory

Abstract

A mixed-methods study grounded in Renzulli’s Operation Houndstooth Intervention Theory examined the impact of different types of volunteer experiences on the six co-cognitive factors (Optimism, Courage, Romance With a Topic/Discipline, Sensitivity to Human Concerns, Physical/Mental Energy, and Vision/Sense of Destiny) associated with the development of social capital in high school students. Results indicated that volunteer experiences, which encourage students’ selection of and active involvement with community-based projects, may positively affect Physical/Mental Energy. Also, allowing students face-to-face time with dissimilar volunteer recipients may positively affect Sensitivity to Others. Implications for educators and researchers are discussed.

Keywords

character education gifted education Operation Houndstooth Intervention Theory OHIT Renzulli social capital

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