ABSTRACT
Electronic service-learning (eSL) combines service-learning and online learning to enable the delivery of the instruction and service to occur partially or fully online. eSL allows students anywhere, regardless of geography, physical constraints, work schedules, or other access limitations, to participate in service. This chapter examines essential questions regarding eSL, highlights the types of eSL, discusses technologies that can be used in eSL, and provides starting points for those who seek to use eSL as a teaching tool. In many cases, eSL can eliminate costs normally associated with traditional service-learning for things such as travel or meeting space, reducing the overall carbon footprint of the population. Another benefit of eSL is that it can be specifically designed to optimize the learning and service of a specific content area, class, and community partner. Many uses of technology for instructional purposes in eSL are emerging.
