Using Service-Learning to Develop Civic Responsibility Through Clean-up Activities among Prospective Teachers

Abstract

This research focused on developing civic responsibility among prospective teachers at a teacher training institution through service learning. It was an action research study with a sample of prospective teachers of the teacher education program from the last semester. The objective was to develop civic responsibility among prospective teachers through multiple clean-up activities that gradually fostered a sense of responsibility. The research design used for this study was a single-group pretest-post-test experimental design. Students participated in groups. Researchers used a self-generated observation sheet (instrument) to observe civic responsibility during activities. This observation sheet served as the data collection instrument. The instrument consisted of 7 dimensions, including: active participation, task completion, cooperation, conflict resolution, volunteering, understanding needs, expressing and responding, enthusiasm and positivity, and reflection. The instrument was used to collect data at the pre-test and post-test stages. We implemented the clean-up activities, and we found that they enhanced civic responsibility among prospective teachers in the last semester of a teacher training institution.