Service Learning Support for Academic Learning and Skills Development

Abstract

The change in higher education policies internationally and nationally is requiring institutes of higher learning to adopt experiential learning practices worldwide. The purpose of this study is to investigate the student’s perspectives on service learning support for academic learning and skills development. As a case study, an online questionnaire survey was conducted for the third year undergraduate students in the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) who enrolled in service learning program and participated in community service. The collected data was analysed using the second generation structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings of this study show that the service learning support positively influences academic learning and skills development. Moreover, the findings specify that critical service learning program provides an opportunity for students to enhance their academic learning as well as assists them to develop various skills. These findings offer new insights towards better understanding of service learning benefits for undergraduate students.