Rodrigo, R. & Tan, W. C. (2016). Impacts of service learning on achieving learning outcomes in a university course. Malaysian Journal of Industrial Technology, 1 (2), 25-31. ISSN: 2462-2540. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.36619.39207
Conventional teaching methods pose issues in the implementation of Outcome-based education and in producing skilled graduates required of the workforce. Achieving learning outcomes through engaging teaching approaches has been an everyday challenge faced by lecturers. This research aims to examine the impacts of service learning approach on achieving course learning outcomes (CLOs) in a pre-university course. Service learning pedagogy was used in this research to encourage practical applications of Professional Communication course allowing students to communicate with professionals in the community and enhance teamwork and academic performance. A research design of two groups (service learning group and conventional learning group) with quantitative and qualitative approaches was administered. Data were collected from written and oral presentation assessments, pre and post self-assessment questionnaires and reflective journals. This study was conducted to 40 pre-university students. The results showed service learners’ higher mean scores in written assessment and oral presentation compared with the conventional group. The findings from the self-assessment questionnaires also indicated that although both groups showed significant improvement, service learners were inferior to conventional groups in communications skills and teamwork. However, service learners gained higher improvement in academic development than conventional group. These self-assessment results showed contradictions from the qualitative data conveying greater improvement in communication skills, teamwork, and academic achievement among all service learners. These findings affirm that service learning approach helps attain course learning outcomes, aids conventional teaching method, and would hopefully contribute in realizing the aims of Malaysia’s Outcome-based Education system.
