Perceived Changes and Benefits of a Service-Learning Subject for Underprivileged Children in Shanghai: Views of University Students

Abstract

Over the past two decades, service-learning has become popular in university education. As such, service-learning subjects are developed at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University to help students develop positive personal understanding and self-identity, critical thinking ability, social awareness, and social responsibility. The purpose of this chapter is to examine the perceived changes and benefits from the perspectives of 86 students who had taken a 3-credit service-learning subject entitled “Promotion of Children and Adolescent Development” which provided 40 hours of service for more than 300 underprivileged children in Shanghai. Both quantitative and qualitative findings showed that the students benefited from this 2-semester course. A number of positive perceived changes were recognized, including enhancement of their interpersonal effectiveness, team building, problem-solving ability, and social responsibility. The findings also demonstrate the advantages of having mandatory service-learning subject requirement.