Skip to main content
Log in

Developing Social Sensitivity with Service-Learning

  • Published:
Social Indicators Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of service-learning activities on the sensitivity to social problems of students aged 12 and 14. A mixed method was implemented which combines qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. The Scale for Sensitivity to Social Problems was performed to determine the sensitivity of the young people to social problems. The results of the study showed that there was a meaningful difference in terms of sensitivity to social problems between the students involved in service-learning activities and those who did not participate in these activities. Furthermore, it was also found that service-learning activities have positive influence on the character and social development of the students.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. The school was located in a low socio-economic area.

References

  • Akkocaoğlu, N., Albayrak, A., & Kaptan, F. (2010). Topluma hizmet uygulamaları dersini alan öğretmen adaylarının toplumsal duyarlılık düzeyleri üzerine nitel bir çalışma (HÜ İlköğretim Bölümü örneği). [A qualitative study about the social sensitivity level of teacher candidates take service to society practice course (Sample of Hacettepe University)]. In Oral presentation in international symposium of policies and issues on teacher education-II. Ankara.

  • Anderson, J. (1998). Service learning and teacher education. ERIC clearinghouse on teaching and teacher education (Report No. ED421481). Washington, DC.

  • Astin, A., & Sax, L. (1998). How undergraduates are affected by service participation. Journal of College Student Development, 39(3), 251–263.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berman, S. H. (1993). The development of social responsibility. Ph.D. Thesis, Harvard University.

  • Billig, S. H. (2002). Support for k-12 service-learning practice: A brief review of the research. Educational Horizons, 80(4), 184–189.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blanc, T. A. (2008). Terms of engagement: Civic and political behaviour among Arizona youth. Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, Arizona State University.

  • Bulut, M., Bulut, N., & Bulut, A. (2012). Öğretmen eğitiminde değer eğitimi fırsatı olarak topluma hizmet uygulamaları dersi. [Service learning course as an opportunity for value education in teacher education]. Journal of Mustafa Kemal University Graduate School of Social Sciences, 9(17), 347–357.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler, A. (2009). Service learning, civic responsibility and attitudes of secondary students. Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, Walden University.

  • Büyüköztürk, Ş. (2007). Experimental designs: Pre-test and post-test experimental design and data analysis. Ankara: Pegema.

    Google Scholar 

  • Büyüköztürk, Ş., Çakmak, E. K., Akgün, Ö. A., Karadeniz, Ş., & Demirel, F. (2009). Scientific research methods. Ankara: Pegema Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Colby, A., Ehrlich, T., Beaumont, E., & Stephens, J. (2003). Educating citizens: Preparing America’s undergraduates for lives of moral and civic responsibility. San Francisco: Jossey Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dinçer, Ç., Ergül, A., Şen, M., & Çabuk, B. (2011). Bir topluma hizmet uygulaması örneği: Haydi kavram oyuncaklarıyla oynayalım. [A community service practice example: “Let’s play with concept toys”]. Kastamonu Educational Journal, 19(1), 19–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eurydice. (2005). Citizenship education at school in Europe. http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/education/eurydice. Accessed at 1 April 2014.

  • Gökçe, N. (2011). Sosyal bilgiler öğretmen adaylarının topluma hizmet uygulamalarına ilişkin değerlendirmeleri. [Social studies teacher candidates’ opinions about the practice of community service]. International Journal of Human Science, 8(2), 176–194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray, M. J., Ondaatje, E. H., Fricker, R. D., & Geschwind, S. A, Jr. (2000). Assessing service-learning: The benefits of community service for students. Change, 32(2), 30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hunter, S., & Brisbin, R. A. (2000). The impact of service learning on democratic and civic values. Political Science and Politics, 33(3), 623–626.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jacoby, B., & Associates. (Eds.). (1996). Service learning in higher education: Consepts and practices. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

  • Johnson, B. (2005). Overcoming “doom and gloom”: Empowering students in courses on social problems, ınjustice, and ınequality. Teaching Sociology, 3, 44–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kahne, J., & Sporte, S. (2008). Developing citizens: The impact of civic learning opportunities on students’ commitment to civic participation. American Educational Research Journal, 45(3), 738–766.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keeter, S., Zukin C., Andolina, M., & Jenkins, K. (2002). Improving the measurement of political participation. In Annual meeting of the midwest political science association (pp. 1–25). Chicago, IL.

  • Lemieux, C. M., & Allen, P. D. (2007). Service learning in social work education: The state of knowledge, pedagogical practicalities and practice conundrums. Journal of Social Work Education, 43(2), 309–325.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pascarella, E. T., & Terenzini, P. T. (2005). How college affects students: A third decade of research (2nd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Putnam, R. D. (1995). Bowling alone: America’s declining social capital. Journal of Democracy., 6(1), 65–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reinders, H., & Youniss, J. (2006). School-based required community service and civic development in adolescents. Applied Developmental Science, 10, 2–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, C. (2006). Service-learning: Developing servant leaders. Academic Exchange Quarterly, 10(2), 237–243.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schamber, J. F., & Mahoney, S. L. (2008). The development of political awareness and social justice citizenship through community based learning in a first-year general education seminar. Journal of General Education, 57(2), 75–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shuler, L. O. (2010). Paths to active citizenship: The development of and connection between civic engagement involvement and attitudes in college students. Ph.D. Thesis, Boston College.

  • Tanrıseven, I., Üredi, L., & Yanpar-Yelken, T. (2010). Öğretmen Adaylarının Topluma Hizmet Uygulamaları dersine ilişkin kazanımları, karşılaştıkları güçlükler ve çözüm önerileri. [Teacher candidates’ acquisitions related to Practice of Community Service course and encountered difficulties and solution offers]. In Oral presentation in I. National Educational Curriculum and Teaching Congress, Balıkesir.

  • Torney-Purta, J. (2002). The school’s role in developing civic engagement: A study of adolescents in twenty-eight countries. Applied Developmental Science, 6(4), 203–212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turan, G. (1998). Türk endüstri işletmelerinde sosyal sorumluluk anlayışı ve çalışanlarına karşı sorumlulukları üzerinde bir araştırma. [A study on the sense of social responsibilities at Turkish manufacturing businesses and their duties towards employees]. In Oral presentation in politics and government ethics symposium. Adapazarı: Merkez Matbaacılık.

  • Uğurlu, Z., & Kıral, E. (2011). The process of teacher candidates service-learning and the views relating with the attainments. In 2nd international conference on new trends in education and their implications. Antalya.

  • Yıldırım, A., & Şimşek, H. (2006). Qualitative research methods in social sciences. Ankara: Seçkin Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Adem Ocal.

Additional information

This study is brought out upon master thesis “The effects of civic engagement activities to sensivity to social problems for the students aged between 12 and 14” consulted by Assoc. Professor Adem OCAL.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ocal, A., Altınok, A. Developing Social Sensitivity with Service-Learning. Soc Indic Res 129, 61–75 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-015-1091-6

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-015-1091-6

Keywords

Navigation