Exploring Student Emotional Engagement in Extreme E-service Learning

Abstract

This article reports on a qualitative study that explored online student emotional engagement experiences during Extreme e-Service Learning program in a higher education institution. There are very few studies providing in-depth perspectives on the engagement experiences of online students, moreover in Extreme e-Service Learning program. This research adopted a case study approach, following 27 online students over one semester. The setting for this study involved undergraduate students who enroll for co-curriculum course that implement Extreme e-Service Learning in one of the public universities in Malaysia. The aim of this study was to explore student's emotional engagement throughout the Extreme e-Service Learning and investigate what makes them engaged emotionally. Data was collected from participant’s reflective journal and analyzed according to engagement rubric meanwhile open-ended question was analyzed using thematic analysis. Researcher found out that participants generally have positive emotions throughout the learning process, and it gradually increased until the end of the course. Main reason for this positive emotional engagement was due to the role of instructors and peers, course design, and personal value practiced by participants. One limitation of this study is that it is relatively small but still its finding provides insight to the instructor of Service Learning that wants to shift to the online platform at the same time achieve successful and engaging learning experiences.