Using Service-Learning in Urban Areas in Semarang Regency to Address Local Knowledge System

Rully Adi Nugroho

doi:10.11591/edulearn.v11i3.6379

Abstract

Service-learning has gained substantial recognition as an effective type of pedagogy and has enhanced civic education across the disciplines, however remains a lack of understanding of this type of learning in Indonesia. The goals of the study were (1) to explore the forms of local knowledge systems practiced in Semarang Regency and how they are used in resources conservation using service-learning method, (2) to foster student engagement with the community, and (3) to promote student awareness of community resources that are directly relevant to local knowledge system issues. The success of the service-learning projects in meeting these goals was assessed via qualitative analysis of student reflective papers and classroom presentations. The results indicated there were local knowledges that were still successfully in use, but often only very locally. Furthermore, the results also indicated that the service-learning projects promoted students’ valuable academic skills, including communication, team-building, and critical thinking, built their self-esteem, their awareness of community needs and resources, and demonstrated the relevance of course content to real life.

Highlights

At its most basic, service-learning offers exciting opportunities for pedagogy that can enhance student classroom experiences and community engagement through targeted service that meets community-identified needs and reflection activities that integrate that service back into the academic framework of the course [1]
A service-learning project was incorporated into the curriculum of an undergraduate course entitled Environmental Management on the topic of local knowledge systems
The goals of the study were (1) to explore the forms of local knowledge systems practiced in Semarang Regency and how they are used in resources conservation using service-learning method, (2) to foster student engagement with the community, and (3) to promote student awareness of community resources that are directly relevant to local knowledge system issues

Summary

Introduction

Service-learning offers exciting opportunities for pedagogy that can enhance student classroom experiences and community engagement through targeted service that meets community-identified needs and reflection activities that integrate that service back into the academic framework of the course [1]. Service-learning has become very widespread in undergraduate education, applications in the natural sciences in Indonesia are rare This may seem surprising since numerous studies have documented benefits in discipline-based learning for student engaged in service-learning experiences as reviewed by [16], as well as development of personal and professional skills and increased civic-mindedness [3]. This reflective space fulfills both academic and civic learning outcomes for students encouraging them to understand the applicability of their service-learning experiences to their lives and communities [18] For these reasons, a service-learning project was incorporated into the curriculum of an undergraduate course entitled Environmental Management on the topic of local knowledge systems. The goals of the study were (1) to explore the forms of local knowledge systems practiced in Semarang Regency and how they are used in resources conservation using service-learning method, (2) to foster student engagement with the community, and (3) to promote student awareness of community resources that are directly relevant to local knowledge system issues

Research Method

Results and Analysis

Conclusion