Service-Learning and homemade equipment within initial training of pre-service physical education teachers

Abstract

Service-Learning means the possibility to learn content from training programs while serving the community, trying to meet an existing need in society and not covered. This paper presents the realization of a Service-Learning experience involving 34 future Physical Education teachers (PETE), who were to serve a group of 14 people with intellectual impairments (II), conducting physical education sessions, building their own material with recycled material. People with II did not have professionals in charge of regular EF sessions. It evaluated: (i) beliefs and opinions on the use of recycled material in Physical Education, with the aim of evaluating program learning, and, (ii) opinion on experience with such material and opinion on the educational potential of Learning-Service, to assess the service provided. The results show that future PETE improved their attitudes towards building recycled material and positively valued the implementation of the Service-Learning program. Participants emphasized that they learned more when they were doing hands-on experiences, such as the program. Therefore, it is concluded that the inclusion of programs of this nature may be suitable for the improvement of professional development in the initial training of teachers.