Abstract
This paper describes the evaluation findings about a service-learning programme offered in a public university in Hong Kong based on the data collected in 2015–2016 academic year. The programme aims to nurture generic competences, positive values, and social responsibilities in university students and to promote the positive development of migrant children in Mainland China through the service. Evaluative findings based on different stakeholders including service providers (i.e. university students), service recipients (migrant children), project collaborators (teachers of the local primary school), and service observers (local university students) converged to suggest that this programme was implemented smoothly and there were multiple benefits to not only university students but migrant children in the served community. Both service providers and recipients also showed very positive perceptions about the programme content and the service. Ratings of the programme by community collaborators and observers further suggested that the quality of service provided by university students was high. The present findings add to the limited literature that provides scientific evidence for the impact of service-learning programmes on the community. The usefulness of including different informants in programme evaluation has also been demonstrated.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Astin, A. W., Vogelgesang, L. J., Ikeda, E. K., & Yee, J. A. (2000). How service learning affects students. Higher Education, 144. https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/slcehighered/144.
Billig, S. H. (2009). Does quality really matter: Testing the new K–12 service learning standards for quality practice. In B. E. Moely, S. H. Billig, & B. A. Holland (Eds.), Advances in service-learning research: Vol. 9. Creating our identities in service-learning and community engagement (pp. 131–158). Greenwich, CT: Information Age.
Billig, S. H., Root, S., & Jesse, D. (2005). The relationship between quality indicators of service-learning and student outcomes: Testing the professional wisdom. In S. Root, J. Callahan, & S. H. Billig (Eds.), Advances in service learning research: Vol. 5. Improving service-learning practice: Research on models that enhance impacts (pp. 97–115). Greenwich, CT: Information Age.
Conway, J. M., Amel, E. L., & Gerwien, D. P. (2009). Teaching and learning in the social context: A meta-analysis of service learning’s effects on academic, personal, social, and citizenship outcomes. Teaching of Psychology, 36(4), 233–245.
Celio, C. I., Durlak, J., & Dymnicki, A. (2011). A meta-analysis of the impact of service-learning on students. Journal of Experiential Education, 34(2), 164–181.
Clayton, P. H., Bringle, R. G., & Hatcher, J. A. (2012). Research on service learning: Conceptual frameworks and assessment. Sterling: Stylus Publishing LLC.
Chak, Y., Shek, D. T. L., Mok, B. P. W., Han, X. Y., Chen, J. F., Zhang, J. L., & Jiang, H. (2016). Students’ perceived changes and benefits in a mandatory service learning course. Paper presented at the second international conference on service-learning organized by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, University Social Responsibility Network together with Office of Service-Learning, Hong Kong.
Chan, S. C. F., Ngai, G., & Shek, D. T. L. (in press). Service-learning as a mandatory credit-bearing subject at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. International Journal of Child and Adolescent Health.
Eyler, J., & Giles, D. E., Jr. (1999). Where’s the learning in service-learning? Jossey-Bass higher and adult education series. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Inc.
Eyler, J., Giles Jr, D. E., Stenson, C. M., & Gray, C. J. (2001). At a glance: What we know about the effects of service-learning on college students, faculty, institutions and communities, 1993–2000 (Third Edition). Higher Education, 139. https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/slcehighered/139.
Hong Kong Polytechnic University. (2013). General University Requirements (GUR) at PolyU. Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. http://www.polyu.edu.hk/ous/student_GUR.html.
Jacoby, B. (2014). Service-learning essentials: Questions, answers, and lessons learned. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Ma, C. M. S., Shek, D. T. L., & Li, P. (2016). Promoting service leadership through service leadership learning among Chinese university students. Paper presented at the second international conference on service-learning organized by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, University Social Responsibility Network together with Office of Service-Learning, Hong Kong.
National Service-Learning Cooperative. (1998). Essential elements of service-learning. St. Paul, MN: National Youth Leadership Council.
Ngai, S. S. Y. (2006). Service-learning, personal development, and social commitment: A case study of university students in Hong Kong. Adolescence, 41(161), 165–176.
Ngai, G., & Chan, S. C. F. (2016). A two-dimensional classification framework for service-learning. Paper presented at the second international conference on service-learning organized by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, University Social Responsibility Network together with Office of Service-Learning, Hong Kong.
Office of Service Learning. (2015). Service Learning Newsletter (Vol. 6). Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. https://www.polyu.edu.hk/osl/files/slNewsletter/OSL_Newsletter_Issue06.pdf.
Pang, P., & Wu, C. (2016). Learning through reflection: students’ service learning experiences in Cambodia. Paper presented at the second international conference on service-learning organized by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, University Social Responsibility Network together with Office of Service-Learning, Hong Kong.
Shek, D. T. L., Yu, L., Wu, F. K. Y., & Chai, W. Y. (2015a). General University Requirements at Hong Kong Polytechnic University: Evaluation findings based on student focus groups. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 40(8), 1017–1031. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2014.960362.
Shek, D. T. L., Yu, L., Wu, F. K. Y., & Ng, C. S. (2015b). General education program in a new 4-year university curriculum in Hong Kong: findings based on multiple evaluation strategies. International Journal on Disability and Human Development, 14(4), 377–384. https://doi.org/10.1515/ijdhd-2015-0459.
Tryon, E., & Stoecker, R. (2008). The unheard voices: Community organizations and service-learning. Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, 12(3), 47–60.
Wu, F. K. Y., Shek, D. T. L., Mok, B. P. W., & Shek, V. K. F. (2016). In search of meaning: novice teachers’ perceptions on a service-learning subject through narrative inquiry. Paper presented at the second international conference on service-learning organized by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, University Social Responsibility Network together with Office of Service-Learning, Hong Kong.
Xing, J., & Ma, C. H. K. (Eds.). (2010). Service-learning in Asia: Curricular models and practices. Aberdeen, HK: Hong Kong University Press.
Yu, L., Shek, D. T. L., Liu, Q., Chen, H., & Zhi, H. (2016). Promoting positive development of migrant children in Hangzhou: Pioneering experience and preliminary evaluation findings. Paper presented at the second international conference on service-learning organized by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, University Social Responsibility Network together with Office of Service-Learning, Hong Kong.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Yu, L., Shek, D.T.L., Xing, K.Y. (2019). Impact of a Service-Learning Programme in Mainland China: Views of Different Stakeholders. In: T. L. Shek, D., Ngai, G., C. F. Chan, S. (eds) Service-Learning for Youth Leadership. Quality of Life in Asia, vol 12. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0448-4_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0448-4_4
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-13-0447-7
Online ISBN: 978-981-13-0448-4
eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)