Broadening the Horizons of Higher Education
in Namibia through Service Learning as Work
Integrated Learning
WACE Conference
Durban - South Africa
26 June 2013
Panelists
• Dr Deborah Sanders. PHD: Director Study
Abroad to Africa.
• Carver Pop. Director: Centre for Cooperative
Education- Polytechnic of Namibia.
• Sophia Shuungula. Industry Liaison Officer:
Centre for Cooperative Education- Polytechnic
of Namibia.
Introduction
• Service Learning model that structures
academics - an essential model for
developing the future workforce.
• Challenges of designing, developing and
implementing a Service Learning programme
based on three case studies.
Definition of Service Learning
Service Learning is a credit-bearing educational
experience in which students participate in an
organised service activity that meets identified
community needs and reflect on the service
activity in such a way as to gain further
understanding of the course content, a broader
appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced
sense of civic responsibility.
(Hatcher and Bringle, 1997)
Definition of Work Integrated
Learning (WIL)
• Work Integrated Learning is a defining
element of a holistic educational strategy that
is known as Cooperative Education, it
advocates the formal integration of structured
real-life experiences (work-place or
community service as well as simulated
assignments and action learning projects).
(Adapted from the Work Integrated Learning Policy – Polytechnic of
Namibia)
Literature review
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Work Integrated Learning
Service Learning
CCE Policy/Polytechnic Curriculum Framework
Graduate attributes
NGO’s
High unemployment/Lack of experience
Millennium Development Goals/Vision 2030
Volunteering/Importing skills
International Service Learning
Regarded as a teaching and learning opportunity
that integrates meaningful service with
instruction and reflection to enrich the learning
experience, teach civic responsibility, and
strengthen communities.
Key considerations in the develop
of SATA and PoN programmes:
Sustainable: Projects should be beneficial to the
community and have a lasting effect.
Reciprocity: Host, students and academic
institution should derive benefit from the
interaction.
Cultural: Diversity and mutual respect
Academic: Learning objectives should be
achieved.
Students orientation
• Students agreement/contract and guidelines.
• Designing learning objectives.
• Expectations for students, host university and
host organisations.
• Reporting structures.
• Supervision and mentoring.
• The importance of student’s and supervisor ‘s
relationship.
Case 1
Host: Cheetah
Conservation Fund
(CCF): Otjiwarongo.
Namibia
Aim: - Protect Cheetahs
and its eco-system
- Assist community to
understand Cheetah
conservation
Name: Student X
University: Lincoln
University
Major: Travel and
Tourism/Conservation
Learning objectives
• To understand why people kill the cheetahs
and what can be done to bring about
harmony.
• To learn more about marketing in tourism.
• To acquire knowledge and skills that can
motivate a career in tourism.
Successes and challenges
Success
• Gained an understanding
that farmers kill cheetahs to
protect their livestock and
to preserve their economic
livelihood.
• Raised N$7000.00 through
marketing activities at the
Gift shop.
• Re-affirmed her decision to
work in conservation.
Challenges
• Ability to cope with the
farm environment.
• Lack of balance between
learner’s objectives and
host expectations.
• Time constrains.
Case 2
Host: SOS Village;
Ondangwa – Namibia.
Aim: - Providing shelter
to vulnerable children.
- Assisting those kids to
become responsible
and contributing
member of the
community.
University: Brookdale
Community College
Major: Business
Management
Learning objectives
• To gain exposure and experience different
cultures.
• To acquire knowledge and skills to manage a
non-profit organisation.
• Improve fund raising skills to sustain an NGO.
Success and challenges
Success
• Made suggestions to raise
funds for sustaining the
village i.e. gardening
project.
Challenges
• Lack of funding for the
village.
• Designed and presented a
balance sheet for SOS.
• Set back/death of a child.
• Not a skilled social worker.
Case 3
Host: Rehoboth Medical
Centre. Rehoboth –
Namibia.
Aim: Provide private
health care to patients of
the Rehoboth
Community.
University: Central
Washington University
Major: Nursing
Learning objectives
• To determine motivation to pursue a degree in
Nursing, specialising in Pediatric care.
• To learn about the operations of a medical
centre.
• To learn about nursing care, as well as terms
and instruments used in nursing.
Success and challenges
Success
• Re-affirmed her
commitment to nursing
though realised that she
doesn’t really want to be a
Pediatric nurse.
• Gained exposure at CSection and Pediatric wards
at St. Mary’s hospital.
• Experienced how a medical
facility is being run.
Challenges
• Lack of Skills, experience
and qualification was a
limiting factor.
• Language barriers.
Challenges: Industry Liaison Officer
• Cultural differences and miscommunication.
• Monitoring students performance.
• Assessment procedures and standards
USA/NQF.
• Managing student and supervisor relationship.
Kolb’s Theory of Experiential
Learning
Conceptual Framework
•
•
•
•
Determining objectives/Learning outcome
Pre-survey
Service Learning/Experience
Reflection
- Formative assessment (Mid-term report)
- Summative assessment (Final report)
• Assessment ( Presentation)
• Post-survey (students)
• Post survey (Industry supervisor)
Actual Learning - The Gap
•
•
•
•
•
•
Different stakeholder’s objectives.
Nature of Programme/working environment.
Lack of opportunities to expose students.
Time constrains (four weeks).
Unclear distinction between SL and internship.
Lack of balance between service and learning.
Recommendations
• Pre-determined objectives agreed by all
parties.
• Balance between service and learning :
reciprocal benefit.
• Placement for students with substantial
academic knowledge, preferably during the
third year of study.
Proposed Model for SL
Input
Process
Output
Mentorship
Staff skills
Monitoring
Assessment strategy
Thank you
Discussion
&
Questions