Service learning in physical education: implementation model in high education

Abstract

The purpose of this experience is to show an implementation model for teaching methodology about Service Learning (SL) to improve the teacher training in Primary Education degree in Blanquerna Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sports Sciences. Particularly, in these paper we present the SL method to show the convenience to develop teaching skills related to learning skills, such as teamwork or innovation, and personal development skills, such as respect for social differences or community responsibility. These teaching skills are presented by the Framework  for 21st Century Learning (Partnership for 21st Century Learning, 2019) and it’s strong connected with the mission that the university must develop in relation to responsibility and social commitment. This experience focuses on students from the compulsory subject "Education through body and movement", for all student in 1st year. They design didactic Physical Education proposals with inclusive and cooperative principles, both from their theoretical and practice foundamentation. The activities design is supervised by university and the institution which receives service: Institut Guttmann hospital. Finally, these activities are implemented in the hospital facilities with ordinary primary schools and children with poor mobility (wheelchair) and some functional diversity. The conclusions and evaluations SL from university students are positive, thus offering an enriching experience to improve our future teachers personality and professionalism.