Service Learning as a method for consolidating social competencies in education students

Abstract

Academic training represents a stage of great importance for future teachers because it is where the foundations are laid for what will be their future professional development, hence the importance of acquiring skills that allow them to address the realities of the context with skills that respond to the challenges of the time; This research focused on the incorporation of the Service Learning (SAP) methodology as a method for the consolidation of social competencies in students of education degrees. The objective was to link the ApS methodology in subjects related to social areas for the consolidation of skills. A qualitative approach and exploratory-descriptive study was carried out with students in two years of the bachelor’s degrees, they were trained in the methodology and carried out field work in two high schools in Santo Domingo, which allowed the development of a socio-educational project linked to Citizen participation and social responsibility in 4th year high school students. The results of the field work showed the importance of a leading role for future teachers through the identification of needs, offering responses to those involved from their academic training to the realities of the environment, which allowed them to take actions and offer solutions that They responded to the visualized realities, also allowing the development of social sensitivity, teamwork and decision making as future teachers and agents of change.