Uncovering Electronic Service-Learning Design Considerations to Facilitate Civic and Academic Learning: Integrating Student, Faculty and Community Partner Perspectives

Service-learning is a recognised high impact pedagogical practice. While service-learning has been widely researched, there are limited published papers that examined design elements for electronic service-learning (eS-L) with a blend of online and in-person course instruction and S-L experience. This paper contributes to considerations for designing eS-L through examining the eS-L experiences designed and implemented in 39 modules across STEM and non-STEM diploma programmes. This mixed methods research triangulated 1012 student survey responses with focus group discussions with 38 students, interviews with 11 module leaders and 42 survey responses from community partners. Findings informed the design of eS-L through analysing the significant relationships between academic and civic learning and established S-L elements and the new technology effectiveness element unique to eS-L. Referencing student, faculty and community partner perspectives, the discussion highlighted key eS-L design considerations and good practices to facilitate academic and civic learning.