Professor Tyler Johnson has collaborated with local community organizations to enhance student learning in his Adaptive Kinesiology course through hands-on experiential learning since 2010. Tyler uses service-learning, a form of experiential learning that connects meaningful community engagement with academic instruction. He creates opportunities for students to apply course concepts such as adapting and modifying physical activity to meet the developmental needs of individuals with disabilities. Through these experiences, students practice skills while helping expand the community’s access to adaptive community-based programs.
Tyler’s Kinesiology students have supported a range of community partners. Working with Boise Parks and Recreation’s Adaptive Recreation programs, students help facilitate activities such as adaptive dance, adaptive fitness, and wheelchair sports. At Ride for Joy, a therapeutic horseback riding program for individuals with disabilities, students contribute to participant support and safety, helping create a more inclusive and empowering environment. They also collaborate with AquAbility at the YMCA, supporting adaptive aquatics programming that promotes water safety, motor development, and confidence in the water.
These experiences have a meaningful impact on student learning. Over the past several years, 96% of students reported a strong or very strong connection between their service experience and course content. Additionally, all students indicated that service-learning helped them better understand the perspectives of others—an essential component of Adaptive Kinesiology and inclusive practice. Furthermore, students are exposed to invaluable career readiness. One of Tyler’s past students, Travis Lundin, who completed his service-learning with YMCA’s Aquability, was hired by the YMCA to coordinate that program. Travis now hosts Tyler’s current service-learning students.
Tyler’s long-standing commitment to community partnerships have resulted in strong, sustained relationships with local organizations. Developing and coordinating service-learning requires planning and flexibility; however, these long-term partnerships significantly enhance student learning and also create consistent, mutually beneficial experiences that support both community programs and the next generation of professionals, like Travis.