Dr.Sameerah Saeed
Tishk International University *
A Short Bio / زانیاری کەسیی / سيرة ذاتية قصيرة:
“Sameerah T. Saeed is a PhD holder of Linguistics from Newcastle University, UK. She is Director of Quality Assurance at Tishk International University, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. She has also worked at the Quality Assurance and Accreditation office at Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Kurdistan Region-Iraq. Her research interests include: higher education, quality assurance, ranking, service-learning, syntax and linguistic typology,“
Category / پۆلێن / الفئة:
Project-based Learning / فێربوون بە پرۆژە / التعلم القائم على المشاريع
Seminar Title / ناونیشانی بابەت / عنوان الندوة :
Service-learning: real-life learning skills
Abstract / پوختە / الملخص. :
Service-learning forms a fundamental pedagogy in the teaching and learning process whereby learning objectives and community services are combined and students are brought closely to community-based activities. Service-learning forms an essential methodology in pre- and post-secondary education in several countries worldwide, such as Argentina, Singapore, USA, Canada, Chile, Columbia, UK, Japan, South Africa and several European countries such as Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain. Studies have shown significant benefits of service-learning methodology, especially in terms of students’ personal growth, community engagement and academic achievement (see e.g., Miller, 2020; Scott & Graham 2015; Terry & Bohnenberger 2003; Lally 2001). In Iraq and Kurdistan Region, service-learning does not form part of the study programs and curriculum at schools or universities. In this talk, I present the core ideas and principles of service- learning, its significance and advantages to students and teachers, and main challenges encountered during the implementation process. Discussion of its applicability within the education framework in the Kurdistan Region will also be included outlining the opportunities and challenges for students, teachers, school administration and community.
Selected References
Eyler, J., Giles Jr., D. E. 1999. Where’s the Learning in Service-Learning (1st ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bas.
Furco, A. 2011. Service-Learning: a balanced approach to experiential education. The International Journal for Global and Development Education Research, 71-76.
Lally, C. G. 2001. Service/Community Learning and Foreign Language teaching Methods: An Application. Active Learning in Higher Education 2, 53-63.
Miller, R. L. 2020. Service learning: a review of best practices. In A. Schwartz, and R. L. Miller (eds). High Impact Educational Practices: A Review of Best Practices with Illustrative Examples. Retrieved from the Society for the Teaching of Psychology Website: http://teachpsych.org/ebooks/highimpacted
Scott, K. E. & Graham, J. A. 2015. Service-learning: implications for empathy and community engagement in elementary school children. Journal of Experiential Education, 1-19.
Terry, A. W., & Bohnenberger, J. E. 2003. Service-learning: Fostering a cycle of caring in our gifted youth. Journal of Secondary Gifted Education 15, 23-32.
Keywords / وشە سەرەکیەکان / الكلمات المفتاحية:
service-learning, pedagogy, community, Kurdistan Region, project-based activities