The Impact of Academic Service Learning as a Teaching Method and its Effect on Emotional Intelligence

摘要

This article explores Academic Service Learning (ASL) as a teaching method which bridges the gap between academic requirements for learning and the need of society to have individuals willing to give their time and effort to benefit others in need. Students as part of a course learning requirement engaged in a consulting project whereby a non-profit organization was advised on both short term and long term planning. Students (n= 177) were exposed to the operational needs of the organization as well as the dependency of the needy on their services. A pre- and post- survey was administered which focused on any perceived changes in Emotional Intelligence (EI) experienced by the students upon completion of the project. The results indicated that student's EI was affected by the learning project in terms of how they feel about themselves and their overall effort levels.