Towards a service-learning framework of selected higher education institutions in the Philippines

• Main Author: Foulkes-Guiuan, Girlie P.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2017
• Subjects: Service learning > Philippines; Education, Higher > Philippines; Educational Leadership; Higher Education
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_doctoral/542
• Institution: De La Salle University

Service-Learning (SL) started in 20th century's economic and social change through John Dewey. This builds character and empower people/communities by raising critical/creative consciousness of the student. The Service-Learning Asia Network (SLAN) is a networking of schools applying SL as a pedagogy in education. In the Philippines, the National Service Training Program (NSTP) is the only mandated Service-Learning course which exposes graduates to updated industry demands. This study explores if the SLAN-accredited HEIs SL programs/courses, preparing Filipino learners for productive career life skills? Can a proposed framework in SL utilization be created for other HEIs to understand, apply, and analyze its direction for future learning and productive engagement?This qualitative research study utilized multiple case study method to discover the Service-Learning definition, structure, operationalization, and challenges in the selected Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the Philippines. This study used interview, focused Group Discussion (FGD), email correspondence, document review, and Website information for gathering.As a result, service-learning is defined as a curriculum-based and credit-bearing pedagogy of teaching where students apply classroom learning to communities/partner organizations. SL has three dimensions: pedagogy of teaching, a form of community service, and an integrative-reflective process. There are stages of SL operationalization are planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating. Each school has its own SL structure but definitely the SL Office is attached or in coordination with the Academic Services Office, the Institutional Formation Office in collaboration with Community Service Office. Furthermore, there are four major challenges in service-Learning refer to time, logistics, integration, and partnership.