Service learning is defined by different educating institutions and organizations but there are four salient points that characterize what service learning is: first, it is a pedagogical model or a teaching approach; second, it is applying knowledge into a realistic situation; third, it is a civic engagement; and fourth, it requires reflection. Service learning is putting academic skills into relevant use to address a community or social need. It is much more than volunteerism or community outreach activity. Last June 26-27, 2015, Mary Help of Christians College served, for the second time, as host school for another TEA-ILEP Small Grant Project. The seminar-workshop, Instituting Service Learning as a 21st Century Skill, was funded by the US Department of State through the International Research and Exchanges Board. It was one of the winning projects for the Fall cycle (February) grant competition. Last year, MHCC-Canlubang was also the host school for the seminar workshop on Improving Science Instruction through Science and Engineering Practices. For this school year, the Service Learning workshop was participated by 62 teachers, education students and supervising professors from six different schools and colleges, including the three basic education schools of FMA Philippine Province.
The seminar-workshop was designed as a mentoring session between the master teachers and the pre-service interns. During the first day, a comprehensive input on the definition, attributes and rationale of service learning was presented. Teacher participants also shared their assessment practices, which were eventually transformed into service learning proposals. Also on the first day of the seminar-workshop, the TGC fellows Ms. Susan Groff and Ms. Amanda Wallace gave an input about what service learning is and both of them shared practices and successful service learning projects in their respective schools. Ms. Groff also demonstrated a website where students can actually compute carbon footprint which is relevant for an environmental service learning project. Ms. Wallace also presented actual photos of students participating in an environmental group. What was emphasized in both of their sharing is that a service learning project need not always be a funding project or the students need not always go to a poor community to be able to serve the society. Service learning can be carried out through direct or indirect service and through advocacies, as well. Day 2 sessions was concluded through an extensive discussion on the 21st century skills through a collaborative think-aloud exercise.
