Abstract

Background and Objective: Service learning is a link between education and social concerns, enabling educational institutions to address the larger needs of society and challenging students to take their role as members of society and citizens seriously, which is the core mission of higher education institutions. The purpose of this study is to examine the outcomes and consequences of service learning from the perspective of stakeholders of a practical project at Shahid Beheshti University.

Research methodology: The research method of the present study is qualitative and the participants of this study are 14 practitioners, students and institutions who were present in the service learning projects organized by Shahid Beheshti University. To collect information, a semi-structured interview was used, the questions of which were designed based on the STAR method. The data obtained from the interviews with all the mentioned stakeholders were coded and analyzed with thematic analysis approach at the initial and final levels.

Findings: Finally, 16 key categories of results and outcomes were identified for students and practitioners, the most important of which are helping to improve self-confidence, creating opportunities to improve students' communication skills in interacting with different people, helping to choose a future career, and acquiring the necessary skills to enter the workplace.

Conclusion: This study, using interviews with students and institutions receiving Service learning services implemented within the country, has provided researchers and decision-makers in the field of higher education with the practical implications of these projects and the necessity of implementing and paying special attention to them. The alignment of the findings with previous research confirms the accuracy of the results.