Service-learning: Learning by doing in community to strengthen students’ social skill

Abstract

This research sought to find out the implementation of service-learning in senior high school. This research adopted a qualitative approach using a case study method, and it was conducted on the students of Nur Hidayah Integrated Islamic Senior High School (SMAIT NH) of Sukoharjo, Central Java, Indonesia. The subjects of this research were selected using the purposive sampling technique. The subjects consisted of the vice principal, the student organization coordinator, the dormitory coordinator, teachers, students, and the community leaders. The data collection techniques were observation, interviews, and document study. Miles and Huberman's interactive model was deployed to analyze the data. This research found that service-learning programs in SMAIT NH is an integrated education that not only emphasizes the attainment of knowledge aspect but also develops the attitudes and skills needed by students. Students directly apply learning by doing in every service-learning activity in community. Service-learning was implemented through five types of social activities including the students’ real movement, fieldwork, gathering with orphans, the nation's hope generation festival, and community training. This research mainly contributes to the development of social skills by applying service-learning to the learning curriculum at school.