Service-learning projects’ contribution to students’ development

Abstract

The aim of the research is to determine the contribution of the use of the service-learning (SL) approach in social studies courses to the students’ development. The participants of this research, which was carried out using qualitative research methodology, are 15 students and two social studies teachers who participated in SL projects within the scope of social studies course. Students had a 16-week experience of SL. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with students and teachers. The content analysis technique was used to analyze the obtained data. The result of the research revealed that the contribution of using SL approach in the social studies course contributed to the academic, personal, social, and citizenship development of the students.