There seems to be a need to rethink education and shape the future to build more equitable societies. In line with this idea, Service-Learning (SL) has emerged as an educational approach to integra...

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the effects of a service learning (SL) program on the subjective happiness (SH), prosocial behavior (PB), and professional learning (PL) perceptions of Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) students as well as to examine the correlations among these variables. Methods: The study used a quasi-experimental design of two non-equivalent groups (control and experimental) comparing pre-test and post-test data. The instruments used were the Subjective Happiness Scale, the Prosocial and Civic Competence questionnaire, and the Impact of Service Learning during Initial Training of Physical Activity and Sports questionnaire. Results: Data indicated that SL only had a significant influence on SH when the students compared themselves with their peers. On the other hand, the effect of SL on promoting PB and PL perceived was significant in several of their dimensions. Finally, the results showed a greater correlation of the perceived PL with the PB than with the SH. Discussion/Conclusion: The results of the study provide educational researchers with valuable information to better understand how SL influences the training of PETE students.

Purpose: To compare the development of teaching competency in preservice teachers of physical education (n = 96) through two different modalities of intervention from the same service-learning program. The preservice teachers provided a direct service to children with motor functional diversity, promoting their motor skills and counteracting their lack of social attention. Method: The topic was approached using mixed methods with methodological triangulation. Quantitative evidence was gathered through a quasi-experimental design of two nonequivalent experimental groups implementing the following instrument: the Teaching Competency while performing Motor Skills and Body Language Games Rubric. Meanwhile, qualitative analysis was undertaken by elaborating upon 12 life histories of multiple crossed stories. Results: The quantitative results provided significant evidence regarding the academic effect of service-learning on preservice teachers, while the qualitative interpretation complemented this view, reflecting on how this learning was developed. Discussion/Conclusion: The authors provided the original findings of the service-learning effects on the teaching competency of preservice teachers as well as the promotion of additional academic and social learning.

Higher education requires a pedagogical transformation to guide teaching practice toward true educational competences. Service-Learning (SL) has become a teaching methodology that promotes social and personal skills. This systematic review of the literature reports SL experiences and research of university subjects related to physical education and sport sciences. All of them are based on different descriptive axes such as the type of publication: description of educational experiences, research articles or theoretical works. Similarly, this review has considered the geographical location, the methodological approaches used, the type of service provided and the different profiles of service recipient groups. Following an exhaustive search, 18 peer-reviewed publications were organized according to the methodology used, characteristics of the sample, duration and intensity of intervention programmes, instruments used, geographic distribution, profile of the group receiving the service and effects on students’ academic learning. The results indicate that the methodologies used tended to be qualitative, while the variety of samples and duration of interventions was very broad. The instruments used were mainly interviews and questionnaires. Most of the groups receiving SL included people with functional diversity or disabilities, children with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, children with special educational needs, people at a disadvantage or social exclusion and curricular lag. The publications in the present review highlight the impact of SL in university subjects related to physical education and sport sciences.

The purpose of this study was to analyse the impact of service-learning (SL) in physical education teacher education students (PETEs). The PETEs (n = 169) completed one of the editions of a SL program carried out between 2015–2018. This program consisted of designing and leading motor game sessions to facilitate the inclusion of 116 children with special educational needs (SEN). The program was based on Kolb’s learning stages to promote reflection and critical thinking. Reflective journals were used as an instrument to gather information from their experiences. These data were analysed qualitatively through a multiphase approach, initial open-coding and axial coding, using NVivo (10) software. Results were displayed through the categories of Butin’s Conceptual Model: technical, cultural, political, and post-structural perspectives. SL provided the pre-service teachers an inclusive educational experience, allowing them to link theory and practice in a truly operative way.

This paper presents the results of applying a Service-Learning program in pre-service teachers in the field of PE. The impact in the development of the social and civic competence was analyzed using a mixed method approach. The quantitative-qualitative complementarity offered the appropriate framework to approach the object of study. Our quantitative results showed some trends of improvement in some dimensions (Agreement in the Socially Established as Correct Beliefs, Social Sensitivity, Help and Collaboration and Social Responsibility)which were also reflected in the qualitative analysis. From the target stated, and after having reviewed the obtained data and its discussion, it was concluded that the Service-Learning applied in pre-service teachers is a good way to develop the social and civic competence.