Concepts, Design and Implementation of Service-Learning at the College of Education: A Single Case Study

Abstract

In the teacher-education program of higher education institutions (HEIs), service learning has become an integral part of the curriculum. This is brought by the strong emphasis on the civic mission of HEIs which is aimed towards development within faculty members an awareness of, sensitivity toward, and engagement in civic issues and activities through participation in the society. This single case study explored the service-learning culture of the College of Education of Bataan Peninsula State University-Balanga Campus by looking at the cases in which the college engaged with the communities it adopted over the years of its existence. Twelve faculty members who participated in the service-learning activities in several adopted communities in the city of Balanga and the town of Bagac and Morong, Bataan were selected as participants using the purposive sampling method and the application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria. In-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis were used in gathering data. Researchers used pattern matching as a preferred strategy in the data analysis that provided categories of information that helped in establishing emergent themes. Results showed that service learning is conceptualized and approached in the college as a pedagogy, social responsibility, and commitment to lifelong learning. Capabilities enhancement and promotion of human development are incorporated in service learning through curriculum design, project design based on needs assessment, and research-based community extension projects. As such, the service-learning conceptualization and development in the college is curricular, project, and research-based. Recommendations on how to improve the service-learning of the college were put forward. Keywords: service learning, curriculum design, project-design based, lifelong learning