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E-Service-Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Experiences of Mainland Chinese Students Enrolled at a University in Hong Kong

Author

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  • Lu Yu

    (Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong)

  • Meng Du

    (Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong)

  • Xiaohua Zhou

    (Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong)

Abstract

E-learning has been proposed as a sustainable delivery method for higher education. During the COVID-19 pandemic, online/e-service-learning was widely adopted around the world as a replacement for face-to-face service learning, providing an opportunity to explore whether e-learning as a sustainable delivery method could be applied to service learning. The present study adopted a qualitative approach to investigate the e-service-learning experiences of Mainland Chinese students studying at a Hong Kong university with regard to their general perceptions about the e-service-learning projects, perceived learning gains, and factors associated with their learning gains. A total of 28 undergraduates who participated in e-service-learning in the 2020/21 academic year were recruited from different faculties of the university. Seven focus groups were established with the participants. The results showed that Mainland Chinese students generally had positive perceptions about their experiences in e-service-learning during the pandemic. They appreciated the convenient and effective online learning and service, although they needed contact that is more direct with service recipients to deepen their reflection. Students perceived that they had improved their problem-solving skills and subject knowledge; they also gained meaningful personal growth and positive emotions through e-service-learning. Facilitators of and barriers to students’ effective learning were also identified. The findings provide important evidence for the effectiveness of e-service-learning from the perspective of Mainland Chinese students at Hong Kong universities and the potential of e-service-learning as a sustainable delivery method for service-learning programs in the post-pandemic era.

Suggested Citation

  • Lu Yu & Meng Du & Xiaohua Zhou, 2023. "E-Service-Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Experiences of Mainland Chinese Students Enrolled at a University in Hong Kong," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-19, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:12:p:9211-:d:1165656
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Daniel T. L. Shek & Xiang Li & Lu Yu & Li Lin & Yikang Chen, 2022. "Evaluation of Electronic Service-Learning (e-Service-Learning) Projects in Mainland China under COVID-19," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 17(5), pages 3175-3198, October.
    2. Li Lin & Daniel T. L. Shek, 2021. "Serving Children and Adolescents in Need during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evaluation of Service-Learning Subjects with and without Face-to-Face Interaction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-16, February.
    3. Wahab Ali, 2020. "Online and Remote Learning in Higher Education Institutes: A Necessity in light of COVID-19 Pandemic," Higher Education Studies, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 10(3), pages 1-16, September.
    4. Hildie Leung & Daniel T. L. Shek & Diya Dou, 2021. "Evaluation of Service-Learning in Project WeCan under COVID-19 in a Chinese Context," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-17, March.
    5. Teresa Valverde-Esteve & Celina Salvador-Garcia & Jesús Gil-Gómez & María Maravé-Vivas, 2021. "Sustainable Service-Learning in Physical Education Teacher Education: Examining Postural Control to Promote ASD Children’s Well-Being," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-13, May.
    6. Mariia Rizun & Artur Strzelecki, 2020. "Students’ Acceptance of the COVID-19 Impact on Shifting Higher Education to Distance Learning in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-19, September.
    7. Tudorel Toader & Marieta Safta & Cristina Titirișcă & Bogdan Firtescu, 2021. "Effects of Digitalisation on Higher Education in a Sustainable Development Framework—Online Learning Challenges during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-25, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lu Yu & Mingyue Gu & Shengquan Ye & Daniel Tan Lei Shek, 2024. "The Impact of Short-Term Study in China Programs: Voices of Hong Kong University Students," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 19(6), pages 3011-3038, December.

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