ERIC Number: EJ1320851
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Oct
Pages: 23
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1047-8485
EISSN: N/A
An Exploratory Study of the Community Impacts of Service-Learning
Lau, Ka Hing; Chan, Maureen Yin Lee; Yeung, Cynthia Lok Sum; Snell, Robin Stanley
Metropolitan Universities, v32 n2 p106-128 Oct 2021
Research on community impacts from service-learning has been scarce, yet this area is worth exploring in order to understand how and why service-learning can make a difference. The current research sought to validate a conceptual framework (Lau & Snell, 2020), which categorizes the impacts of service-learning on community partner organizations (CPOs) and on end-beneficiaries. Under the framework, impacts on end-beneficiaries can arise directly from service-learning interventions, but can also arise indirectly as a result of impacts on CPOs. For the research, semi-structured, one-to-one or focus group interviews were conducted with 13 CPO representatives, seeking their perceptions of positive and negative impacts of service-learning. Most described impacts were positive, including, for CPOs: achieving project goals to further the CPO's mission; augmenting resources of the CPO; and gaining knowledge, insights, ideas and techniques. These positive impacts for CPOs appear to reflect three factors: alignment between service-learning project goals and the CPO's mission; mutual recognition of students' potential for transferring knowledge from universities to CPOs; and mutual understanding of students' status as semi-outsiders, free to challenge existing practices or systems. Further studies can explore impacts from the end-beneficiary's perspective, and adopt longitudinal and action research approaches.
Descriptors: Service Learning, School Community Relationship, College Students, Stakeholders, Community Organizations, Community Attitudes, Quality of Life, Program Effectiveness, Institutional Mission, Transfer of Training, Urban Universities, Foreign Countries
Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities. 8000 York Road, Towson, MD 21252. Tel: 410-704-3700; Fax: 410-704-2152; e-mail: cumu@towson.edu; Web site: http://www.cumuonline.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Hong Kong
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A