The conceptualisation and application of service-learning in higher education : a case study

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:The central question that this research study addresses is whether highereducation institutions in South Africa are sufficiently meeting the needs of theirstudents, by contextualising and integrating their academic curricula with servicedelivery in communities. The higher education sector has been criticized for notadequately promoting and developing social responsibility in the context of civicawareness among their students.This study suggests that service-learning could become a vital force in educationalchange and promote social equity by enabling the advancement of historicallydisadvantaged communities. Service-learning could thus be the vehicle that linksacademic learning outcomes, service in communities and civic education.The purpose of this study is to explore the theoretical foundations of servicelearningin order to achieve a deeper understanding of what service-learningentails. The Occupational Therapy Department of the University of Stellenboschwas selected as a case study to critically assess to what extent it hasconceptualised, planned, implemented and assessed its service-learningprogrammes in terms of the key elements, principles and goals of service-learning.The research strategy for this study is a qualitative case study. Qualitative datawas obtained through the completion of an open-ended questionnaire by the finalyear Occupational Therapy students. Semi-structured interviews were alsoconducted with the head of the department and different representatives of thecommunity project that was selected for the purpose of this research study.The study concludes that the Occupational Therapy Department did in fact,integrate its academic curriculum outcomes with service delivery in the community.However, the development of civic awareness among students needs to beexplicitly linked to the academic learning outcomes and service delivery incommunities.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University