Service-learning as an independent course : merits, challenges, and ways forward

Document Type

Journal article

Source Publication

International Journal of Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement

Publication Date

2016

Volume

4

Issue

1

First Page

1

Last Page

14

Publisher

International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement

Keywords

course development, credit-bearing service-learning course, student learning outcomes

Abstract

In Hong Kong, service-learning is commonly regarded as a pedagogy for facilitating students’ learning of specific subject knowledge; rarely does it serve as an independent course focusing on developing students’ knowledge and skills of service-learning itself. At Lingnan University, however, the Office of Service-Learning offers an independent, credit-bearing service-learning course outside of other academic departments. The course aims to equip students with knowledge, skills, and attitudes about service-learning and to prepare them for future engagement in service activities within communities. This article reports on a case study of this independent service-learning course, with particular emphasis on the course development process. Assessment and evaluation data from students are also reported, followed by a discussion of the merits and challenges of implementing such a course, and a consideration of ways forward. The authors argue that the lessons learned from this study can help to inform the design of independent service-learning courses specifically and improve the quality of service-learning courses and programs in higher education in general.

E-ISSN

23749466

Publisher Statement

Copyright © 2016 International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement. Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.

Full-text Version

Publisher’s Version

Language

English

Recommended Citation

Ma, H. K. C., & Lo, D. F. Y. (2016). Service-learning as an independent course: Merits, challenges, and ways forward. International Journal of Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement, 4(1), 1-14. Retrieved from http://journals.sfu.ca/iarslce/index.php/journal/article/view/187/121

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