CARE-full Online Service-Learning in the Digital Age: Overcoming TIP and FEAR to Maximize Community Partner Outcomes in the Philippines

Abstract

This study investigates the outcomes of online Service-Learning (SL) in Philippine partner communities, addressing a literature gap on predominantly face-to-face (f2f) SL. Applying the Conceptual Framework of Community Impacts Arising from Service-Learning, it employs a mixed-method convergent design to assess the benefits, drawbacks, and influential factors of online SL’s effectiveness (CARE, TIP, and FEAR). Data, sourced from 101 survey participants across 46 Community Partner Organizations (CPOs) in affiliation with Ateneo de Manila University, is complemented by the insights derived from 22 comprehensive interviews with key community contact persons. Findings reveal that online SL bolsters CPOs’ missions, enhance resources, facilitates knowledge transfer, and yields positive outcomes. However, barriers such as Time management challenges, Infrastructure and technical hurdles, and Participation obstacles (TIP), along with its consequent drawbacks such as difficulty in providing timely and effective Feedback, disparity in varying levels of Effort displayed by students, erosion of Authentic relationships in prolonged virtual engagements, and Repetitiveness and nonfulfillment concerns (FEAR) were identified as challenges. Despite these, Collaborative coordination, Active communication, Responsiveness to CPO’s needs, and Engaging online environment (CARE) were recognized as key enablers. This research highlights the significance of examining the outcomes of online SL from the perspective of community partners, informing best practices for implementation, and cultivating effective online SL collaborations that can be adapted across various countries with similar contexts.