Service learning: a strategy to develop group collaboration and research skills

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Educational Strategies
• Community Engagement

Background:

• Colleges and universities increasingly use service learning as an educational strategy.
• Service learning aims to create mutually beneficial partnerships between educational institutions and communities.
• It is crucial to distinguish service learning from clinical practicum in nursing education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define service learning and its relevance in nursing education.
• To present an example of service learning in a nursing course.
• To evaluate service learning's effectiveness in developing group collaboration and research skills.

Main Methods:

• Integration of service learning into a baccalaureate nursing course.
• Utilized student surveys for feedback.
• Conducted a focus group with students.
• Gathered evaluations from community partners.

Main Results:

• Service learning was found to contribute to the development of group collaboration skills in nursing students.
• Service learning also enhanced the research skills of baccalaureate nursing students.
• Student surveys, focus groups, and community partner evaluations confirmed these benefits.

Conclusions:

• Service learning is a valuable methodology for teaching group collaboration and research skills in nursing.
• Clear definition of service learning experiences and structured guidance are essential for maximizing satisfaction.
• Guidance should support student decision-making without being overly restrictive.