The emerging field of eService-learning, or remote service-learning, shows great promise for persons who are interested in community engagement but might not be able or willing to engage in person. Remote service-learning is also a great fit for technology centered programs, like graphic design or computer science, where students’ digital prowess can be harnessed to assist with community projects. Our Partners at GivePulse have developed this resource bank for eService-Learning, and we’ve included some of the highlights here.
Online Teaching, On-Site Service: This first hybrid model requires that, as a part of an online course, students complete a service project at an in-person service site. That site may or may not be specified by the instructor. Reflections and final projects are all submitted and/or presented online. This model is great for faculty who have online students living in various different communities; students can find local, direct service projects to engage with and then share their diverse experiences to enrich reflective discussions in their class.
Online Service, On-Site Teaching: Our second hybrid model engages students in fully remote service projects as a required component of an in-person class. Once more, the instructor may or may not specify who the students are supposed to work with. All reflections and final projects are turned in during in-person class time, and since the service is completely online, there may be time in class for the students to engage on their projects. This is an ideal model for indirect or research oriented service projects where clients may not be located near the campus.
A Little Bit of Both: In this final hybrid model, service and teaching are both conducted to some degree online and in-person. This model is intentionally flexible to offer faculty, students, and community members flexibility in the way they approach and present service and assignments.