title: The Role of Subjective Task Value in Service-Learning Engagement among Chinese College Students.
abstract: Most service-learning studies in higher education focused on its effects on students' development. The dynamic processes and mechanisms of students' development during service-learning, however, have not been explored thoroughly. Student engagement in service-learning may affect service-learning outcomes and be affected by subjective task value at the same time. The present study aimed to explore the effect of subjective task value on Chinese college student engagement during service-learning. Fifty-four Chinese college students participated in a 9-weeks service-learning program of interacting with children with special needs. Students' engagement and subjective task value were assessed via self-report questionnaires and 433 weekly reflective journals. The results indicated that the cognitive, emotional and behavioral engagement of Chinese college students demonstrated different developmental trends during service-learning process. Subjective task value played an essential role in student engagement in service-learning activities. However, the role of subjective task value varied with different stages. Finally, the implications for implementing service-learning in Chinese education were discussed.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Beijing Normal University Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Yulan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Beijing Information Science and Technology University Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Fangfang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, School of Psychology, Beijing Normal UniversityBeijing, China.
authors.forename: Meilin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette IN, USA.
authors.forename: Cong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Leadership in Education, College of Education and Human Development, University of Massachusetts, Boston MA, USA.
authors.forename: Wenfan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yan
keywords: Chinese college student; engagement; service-learning; subjective task value