Literature Review

Literature Review

The Origins of Service Learning

In the late 1960s, service learning entered the arena of experiential learning. The leaders of the Service Learning movement were greatly influenced by the earlier writings of John Dewey (Tai-Seale, 2000). Today, practitioners continue to understand Service Learning as an avenue to implement Dewey's philosophy of learning. Kolb (1984) and Freire (1970) have emphasized the work of Dewey and have made contributions to the pedagogy.

Dewey's philosophy of learning and development identifies three starting points for service learning during his early educational writing (Kolb, 1984 & Tai-Seale, 2000). The significance of experiential learning is the first point identified. Throwing yourself “into a passive, receptive or absorbing attitude” was not highly favored by Dewey (Dewy, 1933). He believes students require more than a passive and disengaged attitude because of the many societal needs to be addressed. Service learning is the perfect opportunity to address the social concerns by allowing students to take the learning outside the classroom and provide a service to the community. The engagement with the community is vital to experiential education. The second point identified is the need for reflection. Dewey further believes reflection translates experience into knowledge. The last point identified is reciprocal learning. The benefits are shared by the faculty, the community and the students. In this case, everyone is learning from each other and is providing a service all at the same time.

Almost ten years later, a recommendation comes from Sigmon (1979) about three main beliefs that define service learning which expresses approval of Dewey's work. The first belief requests control in the services provided to the community. Secondly, use the services as a resource for improvement in all aspects of your life. The last belief is for the persons providing the service be called learners who will have significant control over what is to be learned through the experience. The viewpoint of control vividly emphasizes the members within the community being served. The empowerment of the faculty, students and the community is critical to future success of health-related endeavors.

Theoretical Framework of Service Learning

There have been a number of developments that have been recorded in experiential education. About thirty years ago, there were little experiential studies in pharmacy curriculum. In the present environment, students are exposed to the practical environment long before they get certified to engage in active clinical practice (Scott, Harisson, Baker &Wills, 2005). The researchers believe developments that have been made in education have led to a movement towards practice as students are exposed to practical environment in internships, clerkships and externships. Schools and colleges having realized the role played by externships have committed considerable resources into developing such programs. Experiential approaches have even been adopted by some teachers and even researchers in their efforts to discover approaches that can be used in ensuring that the current systems are improved to provide better quality in education (Brown, Heaton & Wall, 2007). Experiential studies have taken on different models where the main aim is seeking to ensure ...