Factors that influence in the civic attitudes of pre-service teachers developed through service-learning. A study in the Area of Corporal Expression

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. The choice of the teaching methodology is a very important decision since it will determine to a great extent the achievement of the learning objectives. The literature suggests that service-learning is a suitable methodology to promote effects in the personal, moral, social and civic learning of students. Nevertheless, there is little research explaining how certain socio-demographic factors could influence on them. This paper has two main objectives: 1) to show the service-learning as a suitable methodology for developing civic attitudes and 2) to provide empirical data to facilitate the methodological decision of teachers. METHOD. We used a quantitative method with a quasiexperimental design based in pre-test-post-test measures. A non-probabilistic sampling convenience was applied. 98 students (N = 98) of the Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education took part in the study. Particularly, we measured the effects of a service-learning program through the Civic Attitudes and Skills Questionnaire. Later we analysed how certain demographic variables such as the age of the participants, the access route to the degree, the students’ family academical background, the previous social participation, the ideological orientation and the employment situation influenced on them. RESULTS. The results show that these variables could significantly influence the effects caused by the service-learning program regarding the development of civic skills and attitudes. DISCUSSION. The interpretation and contrast of the results obtained provide elements of decision to the teachers when they have to opt for the incorporation of this methodology