The experience of applying academic service learning within the discipline of speech pathology and audiology at a South African university

Abstract

Academic service learning is a pedagogical model that intentionally integrates academic learning and relevant community service. This paper describes the rationale and theoretical framework for an academic service learning module taught within the discipline of Speech Pathology and Audiology at the University of the Witwatersrand. It also describes the various steps followed by groups of third and fourth year students who conducted projects within this paradigm during the period extending from 2001 to the end of 2004, and their reflections on the experience. The argument put forward is that this type of pedagogy would appear to be applicable across a broad range of disciplines and represents one strategy for assisting higher education institutions to meet the challenge of engaging more closely with surrounding communities. However, the writers raise issues surrounding this model that need to be addressed.

African Journal for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Vol. 9(1) 2006: 96-106