Abstract
Service learning is a strategic direction specified in the University’s Strategic Plan 2021-2025. The Social Work Department was invited to develop an online course that is planned to scale up and offer to all students in a few years’ time, and to provide training to teachers/staff to support this University initiative.
The proposed one-credit service-learning online course aims to equip students with fundamental concepts and basic knowledge of service learning needed in developing or initiating their own service projects successfully.
The course consisting of six modules will give an overview of service learning, including its definition, its relevant concepts and theories, and its implications for the good of society and enhancement of personal development. After completing this online course, students will be able to:
- Understand the concepts of S-L
- Apply the knowledge for identifying the needs of communities, developing the services and evaluating the service outcomes
- Apply the elementary theories and concepts of S-L, thereby integrating S-L with knowledge and skills acquired in their own disciplines
- Reflect on the value and practice of S-L for the society and their personal development
It is designed in the form of self-paced e-learning modules which can be taken as standalone courses for students from different academic disciplines or as a prerequisite to students’ self-arranged service projects.
In addition, training activities (e.g. workshops) will be offered to academic staff members in the University in the hope to facilitate the development of teaching and learning plans or project for service learning.
Brief write-up
Project objectives
The project planned to offer a self-paced one-credit Service-Learning (S-L) online course for the AY 2022-23. Training activities including workshops and sharing sessions will be offered to academic staff members in the University in the hope to facilitate the development of teaching and learning plans for service learnings.
Activities, process and outcomes
One sharing session was held for the S-L teacher and fieldwork supervisors, focusing on how to arrange remote S-L during the epidemic.
Deliverables and evaluation
• The content for 6 micro modules were prepared.
• At least 4 videos of outstanding student S-L projects.
• 1 sharing session conducted in February 2022; 4 training workshops for faculty members will be held in June 2022.
• L&T kit with teaching strategies and lesson plan will be formulated to enhance the pedagogical effectiveness in S-L course.
• One survey conducted to 78 students from existing S-L course to investigate their opinions and suggestions on S-L online course.
Dissemination, diffusion, impact and sharing of good practices
• 1 sharing session conducted
• 4 workshops will be completed in June 2022.
Impact on teaching and learning
The teaching plans and worksheets developed could build up the capabilities of faculty members.
The participated faculty members will utilize the knowledge, experience, and insight in their own department(s) and unit(s) to promote and facilitate S-L in Department.
