My Social Action Project

How has service-learning changed you personally?

Service-learning taught me that schools are not simply there for teaching learners content, but to also teach learners skills that they can use in the future. It changed me personally, as I felt I am really making a change in learners’ lives as bullying is a massive issue in all schools. I will definitely try and get more involved at my school where I end up as I could really see the impact of service learning and how it affects the school environment. It also motivated me to become more involved in volunteer work in my community.

How has service-learning developed you professionally? What new knowledge, skills and/or attitudes have you gained?

I believe service-learning taught me that community involvement is a key aspect which is needed in schools. During my service-learning, I wanted to include the parents of the learners in my social action project. I did this through sending them a QR-code they had to scan. While I was creating the brochure, I kept in mind who my audience is and believe that I communicated with the parents effectively and professionally.

Service-learning also taught me effective organizing skills, which I believe is very important to become a professional teacher. If one is not organized, it may seem that one is unprepared. I had to run the whole social action project alone, as there was not another fourth year placed with me. This taught me how to manage a project and to communicate with other teachers and colleagues. There was even a teacher meeting for my social action project, where I had to communicate my exact plan and I collaborated with the other teachers, what I need and asking permission. I really enjoyed it, as the teachers gave me good suggestions and I felt I was part of the team.

Describe the benefit of this initiative to the school and comment on its sustainability:

I feel that my social action project was very beneficial to the school as bullying is a social issue which is present in almost all schools. After my bullying workshop learners could list the different bullying which we find, identify when bullying is taken place, who to contact/tell and how to act on it and solve it. One thing that really stood out for me which I did not realize would actually be beneficial to the grade 7’s, is the fact that by placing each grade 7 acting as the facilitator for my stations, gave them an opportunity to practice their leadership skills. Each one showed me that they possess leadership skills and I was very impressed with their communication skills and how they kept a conversation going. Yes, I feel that my project is sustainable, but the teachers would have to keep remining learners of what they learnt as bullying does not simply change over time.

Figure 1: My Social Action Project Showcase (Kotze, 2024)