Abstract of Service Learning in Education and the Benefits that Arise from Students’ Out-of-School Engagement

The present study examined the benefits that arise from out-of-school engagement. Data were gathered by surveying 300 university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Follow-up interviews of a small group of 10 teachers provided additional information to the study. The results revealed that most students feel they benefited from the out-of-school experiences. This study is conducted by using the mixed method approach under the both sources of the data collection as secondary and primary source of data collection. Teachers and students both are considered as the sample of this study. They studied a variety of professional skills while working in the community and realized how much they did not know about their neighborhoods or the community in which they lived.

Equally, students indicated they had trouble to manage time particularly in balancing their community work schedule with their academic courses.

This shortcoming prevented them from engaging fully in the Service Learning. Besides, students noted service learning to contribute to the improvement of self-confidence, self-esteem, ethical development, skills, professionalism, motivation, moral sensitivity and reasoning abilities. An overall assumption was that these improvements opened doors in the job market for students. As expected, students largely preferred to get involved in those field experiences that matched closely with their areas of specialization.

Introduction of Service Learning in Education and the Benefits that Arise from Students’ Out-of-School Engagement

In this current era of technology, when the person discusses about the education and education institutes the most important first points that comes in the mind is related to the service learning. In this current era of technology, when the person discusses about the education and education institutes the most important first points that comes in the mind is related to the service learning. Students, faculty members, academic institutes and communities all these participants can benefit from Service-learning. Students can enhance their interpersonal skills, academic knowledge and their confidence level.

It gives opportunities to faculty members to enhance their teaching methods and gives new prospects for research and professional experience. Service-learning gives you an edge in making relationships with general public and helps you in completing your projects. The members of the community get special treatment and also support from the institute as well. Service learning is looking to be a very efficient method of enhancing the learning environment of the students, but this approach is facing some controversy. This is also been emphasized by higher education.

Whenever academic institutions try to implement service learning for the benefit of their students, the find themselves in a difficult situation. This is the reason why I started my research on service learning in UAE Universities. I was mindful that I will be getting lot of questions from educational institutes and stakeholders regarding service learning. For example, (1) What makes this service legitimate learning experience? (2) Will assessment criteria be able to tell the true picture of service learning? (3) Will it be necessary for all the students? (4) Is giving time to our community not worth it? These are some of the questions that show us the picture of educational institutes concern about service learning. The focus of this study is to guide UAE educational institutes.

Background of the study of Service Learning in Education and the Benefits that Arise from Students’ Out-of-School Engagement

Service learning is a method of teaching that encourages community services and in doing so also enables curriculum-based learning (Fuchs, 1984). Service learning combines teaching and social services and enables socially active learning (Conway, 2009). This method of learning enables students to enhance their theoretical knowledge and critical thinking skills while addressing community (O’Toole, 1994). For example, students polish their theoretical skills by applying what the learn in their institution in a real-world setting; then they evaluate their experiences to better understand the relation between their service and their learning.

Though, service learning varies from internship experience or volunteer work because the purpose of service learning is to help not only the provider but the receiver as well. It balances both the parties involved. Despite all these benefits of service learning the scholars are not on the same page that when it should take place in the life cycle of education. For instance, service learning is truly achieved when there is “a balance between learning and service outcomes” (p. 17). In United Arab Emirates (UAE) few recent studies have revealed methods to balance academic work and practical work that involves community services. Some institutions even use names like service learning and community service in a same sense although they are different concepts. Nowadays community services are referred to as volunteering for the purpose of getting academic points and completing academic assignments.

We can say that service learning is a teaching system that combines theoretical knowledge with community service experiences in which students wholeheartedly participate to better understand their related academic course and its practical use case. What is important is that what students learn in their academic course they apply in their community. In service learning the student learns from both aspects. The course helps in servicing and the servicing helps in the course material. This happens in a three-part process: (a) analysis of theories and ideas to better prepare for the classroom; (b) community service relates to the academic course and helps in classroom; and (c) community service then providing structured feedback for specific learning objectives.

Altman one of the researchers in this field proposed that service learning is a method that integrates socially responsive knowledge and public engagement with theoretical knowledge to better serve the community needs. It is a structured way of learning and applying academic knowledge and learning in a practical and meaningful way. This goes beyond a classroom and changes the criteria of teaching and learning in a social context.

It hypothesizes the service learning in this study as the part of the scholarship of the larger body that incorporates the community-university engagement concept. As the part of the continuing dialogue on the information nature as well as the role of the academic institutions in the society, it was emerged by the concept of the community university engaged scholarship in the previous two decades. there are some significant goals of the community engaged scholarship consisting exchange, socially useful information, mutually beneficial application, generation as well as the practices which were developed by the active partnerships among the community and the university. The framework is provided by the aspect of service learning in scholarship of engaged community in which the students would carry out as well as design their experiences of service learning but blending instruction in basic skills related to study to attain service activities in community. Furthermore, the experience is also applied to the academic as well as personal development. In addition, it is occurred by self-learning when there is the balance among service outcomes as well as their goals.

Statement of the problem of Service Learning in Education and the Benefits that Arise from Students’ Out-of-School Engagement

The challenges are faced by public schools that several students do not determine engaging or learning relevant study in that way making the making of determination of the school irrelevant to them. Furthermore, the practice problems which were evaluated, were the significant role in the programs of service learning. It could also be taken in making meaningful learning as well as relevant for the students. Moreover, it can also improve their academic as well as the personal growth. So, it is rated by potentially minimizing the dropouts of students.

While some of the more prevalent, the drop out of students from the school may have several reasons which are: they find schooling uninterested as well as to be insignificant. (Bridgeland, Balfanz, Moore & Friant 2010). Due to this reason, many educational experiences of he students fail to substitute the sense of commitment or attachment for the school (Bridgeland, et al, 2010). The said study is particularly conducted for the students that are Out-of-School Engagement and they need the particular kinds of the study and education to accommodate their selves.

Purpose of study of Service Learning in Education and the Benefits that Arise from Students’ Out-of-School Engagement

The major purpose of the study is to examine the extent to which service learning can generate positive or negative outcomes in different phases of students’ higher education. For example, what tangible benefits does service learning add to the instructive process associated with current teaching systems? What are some of the challenges in service learning experiences? The focus of this study is primarily on the extent to which students might benefit from participating in service learning programs and how such experiences might enhance their learning while attending the university in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).   

The significance of this study of Service Learning in Education and the Benefits that Arise from Students’ Out-of-School Engagement

The proposed research project is very important at the school middle local as well as the practices related to their future. To implement the service-learning program, the brief opportunity was in past in the school as well as included in the study that provide the significant results with the students. While benefitting socially, emotionally as well as academically, it is presented by the opportunity now to continue with the design and implementation as the effective technique for the student engagement while providing help them to establish better understanding with the school significance.

 To improve practices of middle school as well as engagement and learning of the school students, it will be helped by establishing the systematic research project approach which is able to assess and document the design, development, implementation as well as maintenance process of service-learning program of the school. Furthermore, the important information may be provided for the leaders of the school to take better understanding of the need to develop the learning opportunities that reflect the student environment through providing permission to participate exercise as well as participate their abilities through opportunities of service learning in real life conditions.

Objective of the study of Service Learning in Education and the Benefits that Arise from Students’ Out-of-School Engagement

There are the several research objectives that must be attained in the particular study. With regard to this problem of practice that addresses the role of service learning programs in engaging students and thereby helping to reduce the dropout rate, the intellectual goals are as follows:

·         To evaluate if the students that are involved along with opportunities of the service-learning that are particularly as well as commitment with the schools.

·         To evaluate if the curriculum of the service-learning that helps for decreasing the student’s numbers that are drooping out from the schools.    

·         To examine the role of the service learning in education department

·         To explores the benefits of the services teaching in the education departments

Research questions of Service Learning in Education and the Benefits that Arise from Students’ Out-of-School Engagement

There are the various research questions that will be answered effective in this said study. All of this question can easily highlight the major focal point of the study. Theses question are good ways to highlight the major point for this study.

·         How the students can evaluate that are involved along with opportunities of the service-learning that are particularly as well as commitment with the schools?

·         How to examine the curriculum of the service-learning that helps for decreasing the student’s numbers that are drooping out from the schools?   

·         What is the role of the service learning in education department?

·         Hoe the benefits of the services teaching in the education departments can explore?

Literature review of Service Learning in Education and the Benefits that Arise from Students’ Out-of-School Engagement

Universities are working hard in order to make service learning as a sole part of teaching learning procedures, the main objective pf which is responsibility as a civilian and all this also expect the classroom to learn through aimful service of the community. When planners try to incorporate the service learning in the normal ongoing learning process, that’s how the strongest experience of service learning come into appearance. Thus, in this way it becomes the natural part of normal curriculum activities of learning that extends in that particular community. In order to give the relevant or rigorous curriculum, educators think that service learning plays its vital role in it. All this is also applicable to real life situations and its main objective is to prepare a student for upcoming future of 21^st century.

There is a strong theoretical basis that thinks that service learning give advantage to participants in various ways. Theoretical arguments are generated and come into the conclusion that service learning do support the basis and construction of knowledge by the reflection of experience of students, new conceptualization establish and experiencing of new concepts. Positive results are obtained on empirical reviews but there are some authors who thinks that evidence related to effects on subject or participants are kin of mixed.

The research conducted in UAE previously says that the consequences of service learning on behaviors of the student, it all depends on the course at which learning is proceeding and the most important thing to highlight here is how the participants feel about their environment and community issues. Like, behavior toward the problems of environment depend on some biological factors like, financial status, demographic variables or age of the participant. The final index score of attitudes also depend on education status and age of the participant. Other research work has shown that the experience of service learning that also immerse the national standard and indicators of success will result into several outcomes like positive social-emotional, academic and civic criterion. Five components are requiring in order to meet the high level of service-learning experience, indicators and standards. Those 5 components which we need to implement are 1) investigation, 2) planning, 3) action, 4) reflection, 5) celebration or demonstration.

Advantages of service learning: If we elaborate the features and advantaged of service learning, it may include several things among which it also emphasis on developing those skills in student that will make him a good citizen and also develop citizenship in him. Service learning is thought to be an appropriate and relevant transport mechanism for undergraduate public health education. It highlights the vital role of student’s understanding and their learning those multiple factors that can have impact on health and quality of life. Public health sectors are using service learning to get the benefits in health status. It is used to deepen the learning of student and help in developing skills in them (Suzanne, Cashman, Sarena, & Seifer, 2008).

It is not one sides beneficial program; it gives advantages to all the corner that revolve around. It is obvious that students with the help of self confidence will get more academic knowledge and skills. On the other hand, it increases the ability of faculty members in teaching and also give them a wide angle where they can find more opportunities to learn. It establishes a kind of commitment for service of public. It is elaborated by Wolf (2006) that student s tends to establish a real world along with the subjects of academy that they are dealing with. It develops a sense of purpose in them that why they are here and what they are doing so that they can have deeper understanding about everything. It increases the ability of youth to show their empathy toward others so that they can also get respect in return.

Students with their wide angle of understanding can understand what they are learning from the experience of service learning and also improve their own character values and take the responsibility of their attitude toward others. They learn that how they can show their respect toward public property and also, they get to know about the healthy life choices. They develop the tolerance for other’s culture and wide their ethnical diversity as they are learning more and more about the cultural area. It improves their academic results. Experiences of the students who participate in high quality service learning is aimful and meaningful, it last for more period to show up for academic gains which also include the gain on standardize testing. Moreover, students develop a great attachment to school which ultimately make them engaged and motivated to learn more (Roehlkepartain, 2007)

Researchers are working hard in developing the relationship between learning of student and service learning but all we need in current issues is to learn more about it and research about more connections of specific learning and service-learning outcomes. Students explain it as they have wide opportunities of jobs through service learning that’s how they are describing the value of service learning. Students moreover described that experience f service learning helped them a lot in finding their future career choices (PRENTICE & Gail, 2010).

The faculty who teach the students through service learning have seen that it provide a new life to classroom, it improves a lot in old version of learning, it enhance the curiosity of the student in learning more, it also teach different skills for problem solving and ultimately makes the school an adventurous and enjoyable place (Bringle & Hatcher, 1996).

Colleges are looking forward for the students who are more indulged in community service. Most of the universities are looking toward those students who are actively doing such activities that improve themselves and ultimately that improve the world. Students who were actively participating in service-learning activities shows the colleges that they are those individuals who can make the successful college community. Ultimately, they will be those individuals who will work hard to change the world toward positive lights (Barge, 2015).

Service learning is an opportunity for the students to explore their values and interests and show colleges that wat they are aiming for and also explain their career ways. They get more informed about the choices of colleges they want to get in and career options and incorporate a life long learning experience in them. It will help student to find their passion that can lead them to their career choice. It develops lifelong communication skills in student (Heidebrecht, 2014)

Service learning is best way to get your true strength and skills. As this is a chance to explore your abilities and skills apply them to make differences in the world. And one day when you’ll be sitting in an interview and they will ask about your skills and they will ask how your skills are going to help you in this job, you will have exact answers to give them.

Methodology of Service Learning in Education and the Benefits that Arise from Students’ Out-of-School Engagement
Study design

This research study is conducted by using the mixed method approach. The said study is conducted by following the both sources of the data collection. Primary and secondly source of data collection.  Both kinds of the research methods as secondary and primary source of data collection have been utilized in this study. Interviews and surveys are used as the tools for this study.

Source of data collection of Service Learning in Education and the Benefits that Arise from Students’ Out-of-School Engagement

The secondary source of data collection leads towards the information; if the existing and required data on the project or topic which is not directly or current application for the required chosen evaluation questions. It also includes the information which has already been protected, collected and processed another entity or researchers. It will disclose easily that which kinds of questions still required that is needed to be addressed; for this process, data has been yet collected. Meanwhile, the primary source of data collection is included as the unvarnished data which cannot be manipulated in any kind.

So, in any research, the primary data can be preferred. Even the authenticity and reliability of the research can be increases by using the primary data. Several experimental studies are based upon the primary source of data collection. Usually, it is known as the data that will be gathered specifically along with the end goals of the research venture. The primary data can be favorable for the various conditions as it can particularly be customized according to the needs of the analysis. One of the most important drawbacks of the primary data is that it is costly in order to get the hold of the primary data otherwise this data will be referred to as the raw information.

Research methods of Service Learning in Education and the Benefits that Arise from Students’ Out-of-School Engagement

The research study is conducted by using the both kinds of the research methods as qualitative and quantitative. The qualitative research method is concerned with the behaviors of the human and the people's acts. There several common methods of data collection that are used under the qualitative research; it includes interviews, for instance, focus group interviews and interviews. By using both of these methods the researcher can be able to explore the topic in detail and depth within a small group. From the various interactions, qualitative data can be collected in good ways. In this research; it has been observed that the research is an essential part of the institution as compared to the outside observer.  While the quantitative research methods is utilized to generating the frequencies percentages tables and graphs for the respondents and working audience.

Sampling techniques and size of Service Learning in Education and the Benefits that Arise from Students’ Out-of-School Engagement

The research study is conducted by using the simple random sampling techniques. The sample size is the 300 students of the UAE University. Meanwhile according to the qualitative research approach the sample size are the 10 teachers of the university who has been interviewed for this study. According to the nature of this study the research project is beneficial for both students and teachers. It helps both of them faculty and students. That’s why data is collected from both of them as teachers have been interviewed and the survey is conducted from the students.

Research instruments of Service Learning in Education and the Benefits that Arise from Students’ Out-of-School Engagement

For the said study two tools are utilized for conducting response from the respondents as; well-structured interview has been conducted from the teachers of the university meanwhile the self-administrated questionnaire is utilized to collecting the data from the respondents who are the 300 students. Total300 questionnaire has been distributed to the students from which only 285 are received in filled forms. This questionnaire is designed by considering the multi scales according to the nature of the questions.

Statical tool of Service Learning in Education and the Benefits that Arise from Students’ Out-of-School Engagement

The data of the questionnaire has been analyzed by using the SPSS software that is the best and well known software in order to generating the graphs tables and charts. This software can easily reduce the chances of data manipulation.

Results and analysis of Service Learning in Education and the Benefits that Arise from Students’ Out-of-School Engagement

There are the four major questions that have been asked from students in the interview and these questions are;

Quantitative Analysis of Service Learning in Education and the Benefits that Arise from Students’ Out-of-School Engagement

 The frequencies for all questions have been calculated in order to know about the reviews of the students in this survey. The frequency distribution tables are presented along with the pie charts of all questions.

 

Interpretation of Service Learning in Education and the Benefits that Arise from Students’ Out-of-School Engagement

The above given pie chart representing the percentages gender of the respondents/ students who have participated in this study. It represents that there are the most of the students are female who have participated in this study and few are male who has contributed in this study.

 

Interpretation of Service Learning in Education and the Benefits that Arise from Students’ Out-of-School Engagement

The above given pie chart representing the percentages ages of the respondents/ students who have participated in this study. It represents that there are the most of the students who are falls in the age group of 25- 35 years old who have participated in this study and few are male who has contributed in this study. Blue color shows the little amount of the respondents who falls in the age group of 18-25 years old.

 

 

Interpretation of Service Learning in Education and the Benefits that Arise from Students’ Out-of-School Engagement

This graph shows the percentages of the major area of field of the students. In this graph the dark blue section shows the percentages of the students who have not mention their major subjects for this study.

Interpretation

In this graph the blue color is showing the percentages of the respondents who have participate in the service learning activity. The green section on the pie chart is representing the percentage of the respondents who have not participates in the learning activity.

Interpretation

It shows the percentages of the effects of the activity on the major ways of the respondents. Green color represents the percentages of those respondents who have got an enormous benefit from the services-learning activity. Blue color shows the percentages who considered it very beneficial.   

 

 

 

 

Improving  my communication skills using English with my colleagues though participation in service-learning  activity was:
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	Very Benificial	60	19.5	21.8	21.8
	Beneficial	178	58.0	64.7	86.5
	2t beneficila	37	12.1	13.5	100.0
	Total	275	89.6	100.0
Missing	System	32	10.4
Total		307	100.0

I think participating in service-learning activities will support my future career
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	Very Benificial	225	73.3	82.4	82.4
	Beneficial	48	15.6	17.6	100.0
	Total	273	88.9	100.0
Missing	System	34	11.1
Total		307	100.0

Qualitative Analysis
How you can say this that “Service Learning in Education is valuable way to learn”?

Participant 1	In this learning has been made more because it has been mentioned that there were some of the stuffs has been mentioned from which we don’t get aware from what has been learned by us. As well as we also thinked that it was done because we were got out with in the community which we required.
Participant 2	We erudite more he reasons behind this s we enjoy a lot when we were attempting this.
Participant 3	These kinds of education made calmer to learn because it gives great experience to walk within the society and about teaching which we have learned.
Participant 4	Learning which has been done by having these steps would be helpful in my marks and some objects so it has been believed that it would be done better in this way.
Participant 5	As well as it is more significant way to educate because the learning has been become more effective ih that condition when I did not learn anything.
Participant 6	No fault has been occurred but in many of my classes which was quite boring and it is quite complex to learn things because in this we did not get proper learning services then that it will be better way for us to recall.
Participant 7	These kinds of learning are quite easier because it makes the learning easier by starting it on smartboard.
Participant 8	I got better learning through these ways because it makes remembering simpler and through this it did something with it.
Participant 9	It is quite good experience because it provides something on which we look on.
Participant 10	When I obtain something which we’ve erudite and through this I learn better.

Did you agree that the importance of community involvement is necessary in the Service Learning in Education?

Participant 1	Some of the integrating services which is related with learning and more significantly with the essential students which explores the significance of society.
Participant 2	When all participants which belief that the practices of various service learning which teaches the learners about requirements of society and the importance of student’s participation.
Participant 3	The learners explore that there had been some kind of issues as been presented in society and which they desired to talk about it.
Participant 4	This action did not only help students who were learn the knowledge despite from this the young students who had received at the end of the conversation.
Participant 5	I observed some of my students who were attending various types of eagerness because they viewed that the significance of getting aware from the hazard of harassment. Moreover, teachers use service-learning within their curriculum
Participant 6	I thought service-learning outreach which has been bring awareness with the great issue and we are capable to something about it.
Participant 7
Participant 8	These activities were assisted me to remember that my society was facing some issues and our students required to be get aware. I was quite satisfied with it.
Participant 9	As well as I also think that these kinds of experiences were quite helpful for person who were involved with me. Some of the latest incidents which was happen in my life were helped me a lot with things how to cope up with this and also makes me able to understand the emotions of other individuals.
Participant 10	I really mentioned what I’ve learned into these activities and then rescued other which is quite significant.

Is it right that commitment and accountability is necessary for Students’ Out-of-School Engagement?

Participant 1	Despite from this the learning services also be helpful for me in the learning process because it provides significant information and it has been based on our own art. My group had been continued with me as well.
Participant 2	I developed more of the obligation through learning because it teaches me how to help others in real life.
Participant 3	I assured on the education on the topic because I was aware from topic and what is going to be held in this by my group mates.
Participant 4	The teachers feels the same and made comments which motivates the idea of participation of students in service learning and some of the practices had been done which is related with curriculum and also take into consideration with the roles of teaching
Participant 5	I feel better about learning in various ways because through this we will obtained and indulged within the society and what is really done by me and the awareness of how things were proceeding.
Participant 6	Through this learning with the related topic was more then we learned in our various lectures which would be helpful and enhance the learning process because through this we can make links in what way learning will help others
Participant 7	“This kind of learning provides the students with new experience external of the classroom that stimulates them to desired to get indulged.
Participant 8	“I recognize from my own experience that at the least, service-learning helps kids to be seated in their classroom…and the requirements to go to the toilet or ramble the hall is missing.”
Participant 9	The students desired to endure in the classroom because they were dedicated to learning the knowledge and implement it.
Participant 10	They revealed a potent promise to becoming sophisticated and refining others.”

How the Service Learning in Education has greater connection to their education briefly explain?

Participant 1	I did take understanding of why we have to go out within the community and needed to be learnt as well as pass the particular knowledge about it.
Participant 2	It is personally in my desired ways to leant this to due to use that what I can and have learnt for better what we were doing in the past time.
Participant 3	It is more important to understand to teach yourself as well as when you will have to teach other people as well as it is also important that you should have the appropriate information to teach others in effective way.
Participant 4	By teaching other people really helped to learn new things in effective manner because I successfully establish the connection with the knowledge and have the answer why I should have this information.
Participant 5	Learning in this way, I felt better because I have the option to go out in the community and establish the bonding with community as well as this thing really made me excited that I am doing something special and have better option to know how things works in the specific conditions.
Participant 6	we have learnt many things or topic in better way rather than learning in the classes in school as well as it should be done by us such kind of learning more in the schools because it makes help students to learn things in better way by establishing connections what you have to learn to teach others.
Participant 7	This method really provide me help how this thing is significant in school. This technique is basically providing help others to learn as well as have to follow this approach but you can continue though use it.
Participant 8	I always want stay in my school if the method of learning will become like this because I have now better understanding that why it is important.
Participant 9	I have information how it is important in education because of this class. one thing I have learnt from this class that education has the positive impacts on the people.
Participant 10	People will like to put their efforts more to learn if our classes were like this. Furthermore, they will also enjoy the learning and they will have information why they are learning.

Conclusion of Service Learning in Education and the Benefits that Arise from Students’ Out-of-School Engagement

The results revealed that most students feel they benefited from the out-of-school experiences. They studied a variety of professional skills while working in the community and realized how much they did not know about their neighborhoods or the community in which they lived. Equally, students indicated they had trouble to manage time particularly in balancing their community work schedule with their academic courses. This shortcoming prevented them from engaging fully in the Service Learning. Besides, students noted service learning to contribute to the improvement of self-confidence, self-esteem, ethical development, skills, professionalism, motivation, moral sensitivity and reasoning abilities. An overall assumption was that these improvements opened doors in the job market for students.

The undergraduates mainly pay focus on the significance of being indulged with their society. They declared that they had been known all the issues which was not be realizing how wider a problem it had been presented within their own society. One of the most specific statements has been made from a student in which it has been mentioned that the significance of being indulged in the society had, “There were various broader issues had been presented out there and if we can explain the younger students at a primary age, it may be help to avoid future issues from occurring.