NATIONAL ACTION RESEARCH

CONFERENCE (NARC) 2014

Educating the Educator:
Reflections Post Service-
Learning Projects

Maznah Hj Ibrahim
Pusat Citra Universiti
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
maznah@ukm.edu.my
Service Learning Projects
Definition: Service learning is a
form of experiential learning
where classroom instruction is
reinforced by community service
(Hunter and Brisbin, 2000).
The theoretical background of
service learning - based on
David Kolbs action reflection
theory.

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01/07/2014 community service maz 3
01/07/2014 community service maz 4
Animal Guardian: Zoo Volunteers at Zoo
Negara
We Love We Care: Farm in the
City, Sri Kembangan, Selangor
Reflection and Teaching in Action
Research

Great teachers know when to make
decisions quickly and when to step back and
reflect.

Anonymous
Reflective thinking is normally associated with
John Dewey (1933 and 1938) and it is also often
associated with critical thinking.

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Definition: Reflection
Lucas (1999) summarizes that reflection is a systematic inquiry
into ones own practice to deepen ones own understanding.
Reflection or critical reflection relates to an activity or process
in which an experience is recalled, considered and evaluated.
Reflection is a response to past experience and involves
conscious recall and examination of the experience as a basis
for evaluation and decision making.
Educators who constantly do reflection on developing their
practice may reach a higher standards of performance.
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Reflection Strategies
Richards and Lockhart (1994) suggested six different techniques for
capturing the opportunities or events for reflections in the
classroom teaching :
Teaching journal with written accounts of teaching strategies.
Lesson reports with accounts written in the lesson plan.
Surveys, questionnaires and interviews.
Audio and video recordings.
Peer observations.
Action research

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Action Research Design: Service
Learning Projects
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identify
activity to
achieve
learning
outcomes
implement
service
learning
projects
use service
learning projects -
with community
partners
Reflect and
evaluate
The Findings
Direct Service Learning Projects:
Direct and Personal Contact
Direct service learning projects
have the attractions - as these
projects give students direct and
personal contact with the people
in need.
Students find this type of service
most rewarding - they receive
immediate feedback during the
process of helping the
communities.

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Learning Experience Enhanced
Service learning literature
demonstrated that
students engaged in
service learning projects
receive benefits or
exposure in two areas: (a)
their learning experience is
enhanced
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Be more responsible citizen
and (b) they are likely to be
more responsible citizen
throughout adulthood
(Basinger and Bartholomew,
2006).
they are now more aware
regarding the different class
or status in the society

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Supervising service learning projects is a
learning experience to the educator as well.

It is more important for educators constructing
service learning projects to take attention on
the needs of both students and community
partners.

Regardless service learning project is one
teaching approach that show teaching and
learning could be anywhere and there are
always a lively and friendlier learning
environment outside the rigid walls of the
classrooms.



Conclusion
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