Service-Learning in the Digital Age: Understanding Nontraditional Students and Their Experiential Journey Through Electronic-Service-Learning

• In Event: Thursday Roundtable Session 4:20 pm
  In Roundtable Session: SIG 41 Roundtable Presentations (Table 6)

Abstract

Service-learning (SL) is an experiential learning pedagogy that merges real-life community service activities with structured reflection. Electronic-Service Learning (e-SL) is a blended pedagogy that combines online education and SL. In planning pedagogy initiatives, educators must not overlook the changing demographics of their student bodies. Within higher education in the U.S., 75% of students have at least one nontraditional student characteristic. Yet, the perceptions of nontraditional students on e-SL are critically underexplored. Thus, this research examined the potential and value of developing e-SL with particular attention to nontraditional students’ perspectives. By uncovering participants’ perceptions and experiences in e-SL, this research provided timely insight for educators to advance e-SL practices in the digital age.

Author

• Qianhui Tian Hub, DePaul University