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Research Articles

Vol. 27 No. 1

A Multiple Case Study of Implementing Community Service-Learning in Large-Scale Higher Education Courses

Submitted
October 19, 2021
Published
2023-04-28

Abstract

Community service-learning (CSL) is implemented mainly in small-scale classes. To date, little is known about how large-scale CSL courses could best be designed. This study seeks to identify benefits and potential strategies for designing large-scale CSL courses. A qualitative multiple case study was performed of three large-scale university courses (> 100 students) at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Based on three core concepts of CSL, reflection, reciprocal learning, and transformational learning experiences were used as sensitizing topics in the thematic analysis. Implementing CSL in large-scale courses showed multiple benefits, such as the amount of work that could be completed and the potential to reduce students’ individual workload. At the same time, realizing CSL in large-scale courses offered some challenges. This article presents nine hands-on strategies to implement CSL in large-scale courses.