Individual Learning Report: Community Service Learning - Higher Ed

This report presents a student's individual learning experience in a community service learning course. Part A focuses on the student's experiences, including unexpected insights, and what impressed them, highlighting the connection between classroom learning and real-world situations. Part B delves into the benefits and values of the course, discussing personal and professional development, including improved interaction skills and problem-solving abilities. It also explores the student's understanding of children and how the course helps their studies and future career. Part C assesses the course's relevance for other students in Hong Kong, recommending its adoption as a general education course based on its health, community, and developmental benefits. The report emphasizes the practical skills gained, the impact on self-awareness, and the overall value of community service learning in higher education.

1
Running head: COMMUNITY ASSIGNMENT
Community Assignment
Name
Institution Affiliation

2
COMMUNITY ASSIGNMENT
Part A
I have learned that Community Service Learning is a program learned by students
through the use of experiments. As students, we participate in activities of the community that
have been recommended and approved by the professor and have a close connection with our
course (Sarofian-Butin, 2017). After full participation of the community services, we are
required to prepare projects reflecting what we have experienced. There are various ways in
which the learning project in community service learning impresses me.
Community Service Learning has helped me make relations with what was taught in class
with real situations in the community. Due to the exploration of the community, as students we
are intrinsically motivated as they experience self-awareness. The final outcome is becoming an
expert in critical thinking as I can solve many world problems. The experience is expected
because the higher the exposure to the community, the more I tend to relate what I learned in
class with what is happening really in the world today (Sarofian-Butin, 2017).
Community Service Learning impresses me because experimental learning put much
value in teamwork which builds one's social relations. When one work in a team, he or she can
develop leadership abilities once given the position of the leader of the team. As the leader, one
gains decision-making skills as well as managerial skills. Members of the team gain practical
skills as they practice community services. It is automatic to gain these skills so long as one
works in a group of people (Conner, 2017).
Community Service Learning is existing due to influence by special people like William
James and John Dew. The two were the first to introduce experimental learning in an educational
setting as well as helping in a variety of community services (Conner, 2017). Afterward, a

3
COMMUNITY ASSIGNMENT
number of associations were established and mainly focused on offering services to the
community. A good example is Campus Compact that was created in 1985 and emphasized on
developing service learning in universities and colleges nationwide in the United States of
America.
Moreover, there is something special in community service learning in that it is greatly
considers special education students in the community services. This has boosted their self-and
confidence in that they feel that they are also part of society. Additionally, it has provided a basis
for prohibiting any type of discrimination of students that require special needs (Conner, 2017).
Part B
There are various benefits experienced by students pursuing community service learning
as a course. The benefits include school benefits since most schools in America require one to
participate in community services for them to graduate (Flinders, 2016). Therefore, the students
have no choice but to participate in community services for them to complete their studies in the
respective institutions of higher learning.
Students also experience personal development benefits once they pursue Community Service
Learning. They get to familiarize themselves with their strengths and weaknesses. I can learn
that I have a strong character and intelligent brains once I cope with a hard situation and also
able to provide a solution to the problem (Conner, 2017). Exposure to different life situations
build my character and also help me to identify my weakness and work to improve them.
Moreover, Community Service Learning gives me some health benefits. It is believed
that when one focuses on other people's problems, they get to reduce their level of stress thus
leading a healthy lifestyle. There is also an improved mood which makes one feel always happy

4
COMMUNITY ASSIGNMENT
despite the existing situations in one's life. Finally, volunteering in community work offers
protection against depression that occurs during hard times because one gets full support from
other participants of community work in case any problem arises (Flinders, 2016). Community
service learning has helped me access good interaction skills. I meet different people in terms of
their personality and ability to relate well with them in spite of their weaknesses. These
interaction skills enable me to live anywhere with anyone without struggling to establish good
relations with them.
Community service learning is essential after graduation. This learning is accompanied
by skills that are of great importance in an individual's normal life (Rose, 2016). The skills
include problem-solving skills, decision-making skills, and leadership skills among others.
Participation of community service has taught me a lot about children. I have learned
about individual differences in children. Each and every child has his or her strengths and
weaknesses hence one ought to handle them differently so as to ensure there is no lowering of
their self-esteem. The more you handle the children carefully, the more they express love
towards you since they view someone as a good person (Rose, 2016).

5
COMMUNITY ASSIGNMENT
Part C
Yes, Community service learning is a significant course to other students in Hong Kong
today. This is because of the rule in most Hong Kong schools that they should participate in
community services even if they are not pursuing Community Service Learning for them to
graduate Ma & Chan, 2016). Therefore, all students pursue the course for them to be considered
that they have completed their learning and are ready to seek jobs nationwide.
Yes, I recommend Community Service Learning to be a General Education course to
other students. This is because the course has a variety of benefits to someone which are health
benefits, community benefits and development benefits (Chui, Mui, Cheng & Cheung, 2015).
Health benefits include a reduced level of stress since volunteering in community work reduces
idleness thus avoiding overthinking that causes stress. One is able to lead a happy life as there is
protection from depression during difficult times.
Community Service also encourages personal development. This is because while
participating in community services, one is able to discover strengths and weaknesses. The
ability to provide solutions to critical situations make one discover that they have good problem-
solving skills which are strength (LING, 2018).
Community benefits come in the form of accessing the support from other members of
the community in case of any problem. People who participate in community activities are
greatly valued, recognized and respected. This is because of the fact that they show their great
love and concern for society at large. Therefore, if they face challenges such as financial
constraints, most people are willing to contribute the money for that person to gain financial
stability and accomplish their missions (Santiago-Ortiz, 2018).

6
COMMUNITY ASSIGNMENT
References
Chui, W., Mui, J., Cheng, K., & Cheung, E. (2015). Community psychiatric service in Hong
Kong: Moving towards recovery-oriented personalized care. Asia-Pacific Psychiatry,
4(3), 155-159. doi: 10.1111/j.1758-5872.2012.00206.x
Conner, J. (2017). When Does Service-Learning Work? Contact Theory and Service-Learning
Courses in Higher Education. Michigan Journal Of Community Service Learning, 23(2).
doi: 10.3998/mjcsloa.3239521.0023.204
Flinders, B. (2016). Service-Learning Pedagogy: Benefits Of A Learning Community Approach.
Journal Of College Teaching & Learning (TLC), 10(3), 159. doi:
10.19030/tlc.v10i3.7932
LING, H. (2018). VOLUNTEERING AND PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY SERVICE
AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN HONG KONG. The Hong Kong
Journal Of Social Work, 52(01n02), 87-98. doi: 10.1142/s0219246218000074
Ma, C., & Chan, A. (2016). A Hong Kong University first: Establishing service-learning as an
academic credit-bearing subject. Gateways: International Journal Of Community Research And
Engagement, 6. doi: 10.5130/ijcre.v6i1.3286Ma, C., & Chan, A. (2016)
Rose, A. (2016). Community Benefits. Adult Learning, 13(4), 21-22. doi:
10.1177/104515950201300408
Santiago-Ortiz, J. (2018). From Critical to Decolonizing Service-Learning: Limits and
Possibilities to Social Justice-based Approaches to Community Service Learning.

7
COMMUNITY ASSIGNMENT
Michigan Journal Of Community Service Learning, 25(1). doi:
10.3998/mjcsloa.3239521.0025.104
Sarofian-Butin, D. (2017). Review Essay: The Cambridge Handbook of Service Learning and
Community Engagement. Michigan Journal Of Community Service Learning, 24(1). doi:
10.3998/mjcsloa.3239521.0024.115C