Service-Learning in Indian Higher Education: Experiences of Adaptation to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors

  • Preeti Kodancha Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India
  • Kareena Suresh Sajnani CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India
  • Aalhad Raut CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India
  • Smitha Baboo CHRIST (Deemed to be University)

Abstract

Service-learning is a pedagogy that allows students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings, while serving the needs of their communities. It is a recent introduction in Indian education and has faced multidimensional obstacles in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, by innovatively adapting the pedagogy to suit the needs of the time students have ensured that the service-learning activities do not halt completely. The current study aimed to explore the subjective experiences of undergraduate students who engage in service-learning in an Indian educational institution during the pandemic. Data was collected via in-depth, personal interviews from six undergraduate students who are involved in the central planning and execution committee for service-learning. The transcribed data was analyzed through thematic analysis, and various sub-themes and themes were obtained were obtained under the domains of the various challenges faced while engaging in service-learning during the pandemic, the adaptational strategies employed to overcome them, and also the personal challenges and development of the students while engaging in service-learning. The results of the study allow for a better understanding of the experience of service-learning in the pandemic, paving way for institutional policies that can better equip students and allow for greater preparedness.

Author Biographies

Preeti Kodancha, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India

Preeti is a postgraduate student of Clinical Psychology at the Manipal College of Health Professions, India. She takes a community perspective to Psychology and has a special interest towards education

Kareena Suresh Sajnani, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India

Kareena holds a B.Sc. (Honors) in Psychology from CHRIST (Deemed to be University). She aims to specialize in Counselling Psychology.

Aalhad Raut, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India

Aalhad is an undergraduate student of Psychology at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), India. His academic interests lie in individual psychology. He is very passionate about quantitative and qualitative research.

Smitha Baboo, CHRIST (Deemed to be University)

Dr Smitha Baboo is an assistant professor of Psychology at CHRIST (Deemed to be University). She holds a double PhD in Psychology and Education. Her area of expertise is the role of Psychology in pedagogy and education.

Downloads

Published

2020-12-17

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 2 (2020): JSLHE (Covid-19; 2020)

Section

Articles

License

  • Authors submitting articles to the Journal of Service-Learning in Higher Education are responsible for securing any permissions or licensing pertaining to the use of copyrighted materials and photographs/graphics. Authors of accepted articles assign the Journal of Service-Learning in Higher Education the right to edit, publish, and distribute their text on the Internet, to archive it, and make it permanently retrievable.
  • Authors do retain their copyright, so articles may be reprinted after publication as long as the Journal of Service-Learning in Higher Education is acknowledged as the original site of publication. Articles that have already been published or are being considered for publication elsewhere are not eligible for publication in the Journal of Service-Learning in Higher Education, unless a cross-publishing arrangement has been previously negotiated.
  • Opinions or points of view expressed in the publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the University of Louisiana System or institutions or organizations affiliated with the Journal of Service-Learning in Higher Education.