Service Learning Project: Connecting Classroom Experiences to Community Needs

Abstract

One of the mandated functions of a higher education institution is community extension. This area is also being evaluated by accrediting bodies for an upgrade of standards or levels. Schools have different and similar ways on how they extend community services; but, the task itself may not be a slice of cake. There are specific elements, tools, and procedures to be observed by people who would be involved in the process itself. This is where the direction of this study comes from. Its main purpose is to describe and analyze the purpose of a particular service-learning project and how it connects the classroom to community needs. The design of this paper is qualitative in nature. Moreover, the specific approach to be employed is ethnography. There are 10 participants who are involved in the study, and the reflections of both the researcher and participants contribute to the development of the ideas leading to insights. In the selection of the participants, purposive sampling is used. The teachers are handling Purposive Communication for Tourism and Hospitality students, which is a general education course in college. Two instruments are used to collect textual data, reflective essay, and field observation. Content analysis helps the researcher analyze and synthesize the data that will be transformed into conclusions or insights. In concluding the study, the researcher found out how participants conduct service-learning project, and with their critical reflections, a new definition of service-learning is put into shape.