- Title
- Curriculum adjustment and adaptive leadership in two service-learning courses at Rhodes University as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Creator
- Khuhlane, Heide Nozuko
- ThesisAdvisor
- Grant, Callie
- ThesisAdvisor
- Kajee, Farhana Amod
- Subject
- COVID-19 (Disease)
- Subject
- Curriculum planning South Africa Makhanda
- Subject
- Rhodes University
- Subject
- Service learning South Africa Makhanda
- Subject
- Educational leadership South Africa Makhanda
- Subject
- Educational change South Africa Makhanda
- Subject
- Adaptive leadership
- Date
- 2021-10-29
- Type
- Master's theses
- Type
- text
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10962/191192
- Identifier
- vital:45069
- Description
- The COVID-19 global pandemic altered many aspects of learning. Learning through service, a component of community engagement in higher education linking academic learning and the community was no exception. Informed by Experiential Learning Theory, this study investigated the curriculum adjustment of two service-learning courses at Rhodes University and the leadership development of those who lead the courses as a consequence of COVID-19. The study’s initial goal was to highlight the position of service-learning as a component of academic learning. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic the goal was extended to understanding the impact of the pandemic not only on service-learning, but on leadership as well. Furthermore, the study sought to determine the responsiveness of service-learning policies at Rhodes University at a time of crisis. The study was designed as an interpretivist case study with four participants and one secondary participant. The study employed document analysis, individual interviews and a focus group interview to collect data. Data analysis took the form of content analysis and coding, through the lens of Experiential Learning Theory and an alternative service-based model. The study findings revealed that as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic both service-learning courses had to be adapted to ensure successful completion. The adaptations included attention to scaffolded learning, assessment and course outcomes; in one course the service engagement aspect with the community was lost entirely to ensure the saftey of students through adherence to COVID-19 safety regulations. The study also found that the participants developed adaptive leadership competencies and skills, technological and collaboration skills as well as a heightened regard for pastoral care and social justice. However, it was evident that the pandemic revealed gaps in the conceptual understanding of service-learning in the context of the two courses, a need for responsive policy, and practical strategies to implement those policies in smaller units in the institution. The study thus recommends an alternative service-based model approach to service-learning, increased policy responsiveness to issues posed by the ‘new normal’ to support adaptive leadership development, re-defining of the university-community partnership and the identification of opportunities for innovation and collaboration intra-departmentally through service-learning.
- Description
- Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2021
- Format
- computer, online resource, application/pdf, 1 online resource (138 pages), pdf
- Publisher
- Rhodes University, Faculty of Education, Education
- Language
- English
- Rights
- Khuhlane, Heide Nozuko
- Rights
- Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
- Rights
- Open Access
- Hits: 3085
- Visitors: 3449
- Downloads: 577
Collections
RU Department of Education
| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | SOURCE1 | KHUHLANE-MED-TR21-186.pdf | 1 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |