Nathalie Gael Paje Sabio

Term 3 A.Y. 2019 - ’20

COBCSRG C36

Reflection

To begin with, service-learning requires both community service and

educational concepts. In order to promote and encourage change and
equity, both the outside party and students have to engage themselves
equally to acquire mutually beneficial relationships. Most of the time, these
service-learning activities are carried out and executed in the form of
students visiting the community and proceed with hands-on activities based
on the planned agreement of both parties. But due to the unforeseen
entrance of COVID-19 in the Philippines, the procedures towards
service-learning have been reshaped ever since now that we are
approaching the 2020 - 2021 academic year.

Courses related to these allow students to deeply ponder and analyze

the injustice that is present in our country and as well as for them to
experience this by personally meeting those who are affected. This is done
by working and partnering with their community in order to address the
social issues or problems that we may have the capability of acting on.
Nowadays, given the pandemic situation, action-based activism is now
mostly in the form of online arrangements with the use of social media
platforms such as Facebook and social websites. By temporarily concluding
hands-on activism, the risk of spreading the virus is significantly lessened as
much as it may potentially harm people if pushed through.

For the educational department, we refuse to put a halt to

service-learning although we must remain to follow quarantine protocols
issued by the government. In view of this fact, thanks to the invention of
technology, educators and students alike are able to proceed with this and
maximize the use of social media for activism as well as news. Not to
mention, this may also be used to develop novel ways in approaching service
sites without having to be there physically and potentially risk your own
health as well as others. While we aim to help these communities thrive by
proposing plans of action and providing necessary resources, we, the
students, should have quality increased and advanced academic goals for
ourselves through this process.

An essential concept of service-learning is that the students should

reflect on the process of the service they are carrying out and how it may
relate to his or her field of education. As for my case, it is more on the
business side which helps me gain experience as employers desire those
who have had. Studies suggest that students who participate in
service-learning gain a more sophisticated understanding of processes and
develop more positive attitudes about the importance of influencing their
environment than do students who do not participate (Eyler & Halteman,
1981; Giles & Eyler 1994). Active reflection helps students remember what
they learn more in order for them to apply these until they have had their
own jobs as well as to shed light on one’s morals and values and potentially
gain a civic sense of responsibility. Consequently, those who have
experienced engaging in service-learning programs are most likely to work
with others to achieve public goals accordingly.

It makes me have a sense of compassion for elders such as me

offering companionship to the community and let them know that they are
not alone in this fight. As an elderly sister to a family with three children and
a role model to high school students, it is my responsibility for them to know
the importance and impact of one’s actions as well as the benefits you may
acquire. Studies made by marketing students suggest that despite online
service learning, these people are still able to gain the same skills such as
coming to know the cultural and racial differences of those they work with.

From my perspective, participating in these programs alike put into

light the undiscovered confidence within me and let me know that I am
capable of doing such things effectively as well as to make a difference for
the betterment of a community. It has already been a fact that I am not the
smartest student and I view myself as a mediocre one but I feel like, with
my determination and flexibility, I am somehow able to make up for it. I
definitely desire to work on more of these kinds of projects knowing that I
am able to do this and what more If I am able to inspire others? Growing up,
I have always been self-conscious about my stand academically and did not
thrive as much in school, this resulted in me not having the courage to
engage myself in service-learning programs. But this all changed when it
became a requirement for us. This was able to get out of my head and see
the more positive perspective of being involved in the support of
communities. I firmly suppose that the significance of engagement of both
educators/students and communities will encourage a positive chain of
reactions towards the uplifting our country.
References:

Eyler, J., Giles, D. & Braxton, J. (1997). The Impact of Service-Learning on

College Students. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 4, 5-15.

Black, G. (2002). Incorporating Service Learning in the Business Curriculum.

Retrieved September 25, 2020, from
https://www.atu.edu/jbao/fall2002/genie.pdf

Krasny Professor of Environmental Education and Civic Ecology, M. (2020,

May 14). Social distancing is no reason to stop service-learning – just do it
online. Retrieved September 25, 2020, from
https://theconversation.com/social-distancing-is-no-reason-to-stop-service-l
earning-just-do-it-online-137034