Video - Examples from practice - service learning

Watch the video Examples from practice - service learning.

IMPORTANT: This activity is mandatory!

Transcript

Service learning is an educational approach that enables students to apply their academic knowledge to address community needs by real social issues. This method helps students enhance their professional skills, civic responsibilities, and critical thinking. Examples of community service learning include: ‒ Collaborations between law students and free legal aid organizations ‒ Creation of educational biology workshops for primary school students ‒ Research local community needs concerning social services.

What insights do practitioners offer on community service learning? How would you define it in the context of higher education? Community service learning is a pedagogical strategy through partnerships between higher education institutions and community entities, often nonprofit organizations. Students engage in community service activities within these institutions, earning ECTS not the service itself but their learning experience. This socially beneficial activity is intrinsically linked to their academic discipline, and students demonstrate their learning and acquired skills through  methods during their involvement in such projects. Could you provide an example of a successfully executed, socially beneficial learning project from your experience? Some instances involve students of information and communication sciences. For example, 3D printing workshops where they explore the Glagolitic alphabet and cultural heritage with children in a library or archive setting, in collaboration with elementary schools, could be organized. Alternatively, consider Minecraft Education workshops, which primarily focus on STEM workshops for girls to engage them in that area, and then, through empathy and a socially useful project approach, they develop their motivation and interest in that area.

What challenges arise when implementing a community service learning course, and how can they be addressed? One of the most common challenges is teacher engagement, as the process involves many logistical tasks. These include finding a community partner, establishing cooperation, and motivating students to design their own community service learning projects. Consequently, teachers face a significant amount of additional work, particularly at the beginning. However, as cooperation develops over several semesters and years, this aspect becomes considerably easier. What advice would you give to teachers looking to implement a community service learning course for the first time? It is best to start simply.  approach  to collaborate with colleagues who conduct seminar classes  students work in groups or teams. You could design a portion of that seminar class to involve the team in a community service learning project. This allows you to observe the success of community service learning for some of your colleagues. Later, you might consider offering an elective course or dedicating part of the course to community service learning.