Study on the Impact of Service-Learning on the Whole Person Development

Abstract

Service-learning is a pedagogical tool that bridges the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world experiences. The study aimed to assess the impact of service-learning projects on whole person education among the students. Service-learning project was planned and executed to economically empower the tribal women of Yercaud, Salem district, by the post graduate students of the Department of Home Science, Women's Christian College, Chennai, India. A pre-test, post-test questionnaire was formulated and validated. The questions were framed based on personal and social growth and development, academic and spiritual learning. The students showed a significant improvement in personal and social growth and development, improvement in the ability to apply knowledge of nutrition and entrepreneurial skills and also enhanced their spiritual learning. The continuous reflection process enabled them to gain better insights about their civic responsibility. The project had a profound effect on the students and was effective in developing whole person education.