Experiential Learning: The Effects of a Digital Learning Companion Project on Tutors’ Service-Learning Outcomes

Abstract

Abstract: Community-oriented education has witnessed an increasing interest in online service-learning opportunities. Digital Learning Companion is an online service-learning project supported by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education to give students experiential learning opportunities and practice social responsibility. As part of the initiative, 189 local and international students served as tutors for remote children. A mixed-methods design, including pre- and post-questionnaires and sharing videos, was employed to evaluate its effects on service-learning outcomes. The results revealed that all tutors improved personal competence, interpersonal relationships, and charitable responsibility. However, no significant difference was found in social justice responsibility. Furthermore, significant differences between the international and local tutors were noted in outcomes regarding personal competence, interpersonal relationships, and charitable responsibility, with the mean scores of the international group higher than those of the local one. Conversely, no significant difference was found in social justice responsibility with respect to nationality. The findings highlight the benefits to tutors with respect to personal and interpersonal development and support the implementation of similar service-learning projects.