20-24 May

2013

Learn

Serve

Live

Dr. Sancia Wai-San Wan

East Asia College, University of Macau

Objectives • To critically reflect on the implementation of a recent international service-learning trip to Laos organized by the

RC, in order to identify approaches to effective service-learning for RC students

Methodology • Action research: as a quest for knowledge about how to improve educational programming

• Data collected & analyzed: activity records, briefing and debriefing group discussions, videotapes, photos, students’ written reflections, as well as interviews with various stakeholders

Macau

Udon

Thani

Bangkok

Coordination with UNU-IIST since Dec 2012, and program information session in April 2013 during the recruitment period

Students’ preparation: pre-trip briefing and training (team building and designing activities to do with local villagers in Laos)

Classes on Chinese calligraphy, origami and paper-cutting art; plowing farmlands; learning handicrafts, e.g. weaving reed mats and containers

Debriefing and discussions; student projects (written reflection, video clips and photos)

Cultural diversity: religious , educational and cultural practices very different from their perceptions

Simple lifestyle can also lead to happiness: What they previously thought the local people would need might not be the same as what they found out what the local people actually need.

Preceding perception of economic underdevelopment being challenged

Learning > Service: more like experiential and experimental

Language barriers to direct communication with local villagers and school children

Insufficient time for preparation and interaction

Students not familiar with trip contents

Residential College (RC)

• as a means to integrate students’ in-class and out-of-class experiences by providing a community that fosters greater faculty and peer interaction, increased opportunities for coordinated learning activities, and an academically and socially supportive living environment’ (Inkelas & Weisman, 2003, p. 335)

Service-Learning

• a carefully monitored educational experience in which students participate in an organised service activity that meets identified community needs, and reflect on the service activity in such a way as to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility (Bringle & Hatcher, 1999)

Service-learning as a pedagogy for continuous student learning with a long term vision

Regular commitments by and communication between teachers, students and onsite coordinators

• Professional training for teachers to play a better role of an advisor and facilitator

Student ownership: preparation, implementation and sharing

Student engagement through intensive interaction with local environment and people

Coordination with local field coordinators and interpreters

• Longer stay for better engagement with and greater impact on local community

Personal Growth

• Transferrable Skills

Civic Learning

• Community

• Global Citizenship

Academic Enhancement

• Disciplinary

• Interdisciplinary

UM RC system currently under reform,

in the hope to foster students’

general education as well as

community and peer education.

To m

atc

h t

he l

earn

ing g

oals

of

both

resi

denti

al

college &

serv

ice-l

earn

ing

EAC as a living and learning collegiate

community:

• 300 students from diverse backgrounds

• A wide range of intellectual, social,

moral, artistic and athletic activities

• To develop personal and social

responsibility, cultivate sound moral

judgment, and nurture the ability of

independent thinking

References: • Bringle, R. G. and Hatcher, J. A. (1999) Reflection in

Service Learning: Making Meaning of Experience. Educational Horizons, 77 (4), pp. 179-85.

• Inkelas, K. K. and Weisman, J. L. (2003) Different by Design: An Examination of Student Outcomes among Participants in Three Types of Living-Learning Programs. Journal of College Student Development, 44 (3), pp. 335-68.

3 teachers

16 students from different

majors & years of study

Email contact: SanciaWan@umac.mo