LITEMA ARTIVISM: COMMUNITY-ENGAGED SCHOLARSHIP WITH INTERNATIONAL ONLINE LEARNING

The misconception that online learning and teaching for the building sciences is ineffective has been proven wrong. A blended learning technique, combining service-learning activities and has shown great learning and teaching possibilities on an international digital platform. This article considers how community-engaged scholarship and COIL can support an international learning experience celebrating rural art and architecture in central parts of South Africa. The research used a and social learning theory framework. Combining practical outcomes in service-learning activities with collaborative international desk research provided a new perspective of litema wall-decorating art in rural parts of the eastern Free State province. These activities developed into a collaboration opportunity as a COIL exchange. A novel conceptual servicelearning approach requires good communication and networking, clear agendas, as well as dedicated staff and students. The study merged servicelearning activities by South African architecture students at the University of the Free State with literature from American art history students from Colorado State University through COIL that resulted in a collaborative exhibition of research findings. The study follows the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of quality education and gender equality, as well as the "Art-Lab for Human Rights and Dialogue" that intervenes ethically for human rights as "activist" acts of care for rural domestic art.