"Oídos en el alma": Un programa de voluntariado basado en los principios del aprendizaje-servicio como alternativa a la formación práctica de estudiantes de Trabajo Social durante la pandemia

The aim of the paper is to present an example of professional practice in the form of a programme based on the principles of service-learning in the period of crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in social work education at Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia. The practical training of social work students is an integral part of their education and is focused on the development of those competencies that can only be developed through direct work with target groups. As it was not possible to complete the placement in the field at the time of the pandemic, it was necessary to look for new opportunities to meet the objectives of the placement. The ‘Ears to the Soul’ volunteer programme was created in response to the pandemic situation and its main goal was to help overcome people's feelings of loneliness by creating student-client contacts and providing regular telephone support. The programme was built on the principles of service-learning. The evaluation of the programme has shown that it can meaningfully meet the needs of target groups and has considerable potential as a form of education in social work.El objetivo del documento es presentar la formación práctica basada en los principios del aprendizaje-servicio, desarrollada en el grado de Trabajo Social en la Universidad Matej Bel de Banská Bystrica, Eslovaquia, durante la crisis causada por la pandemia COVID-19. La formación práctica de los estudiantes de Trabajo Social es una parte integral de su educación y se centra en aquellas competencias que sólo pueden desarrollarse mediante el trabajo directo con los grupos destinatarios. Dado que en el momento de la pandemia no fue posible completar la formación práctica, se buscaron nuevas oportunidades formativas. El programa de voluntariado ‘Ears to the Soul’ (“Oídos en el Alma”) se creó en respuesta a la situación de la pandemia y su principal objetivo fue ayudar a superar los sentimientos de soledad de las personas mediante la creación de contactos entre estudiantes y usuarios y la prestación de apoyo telefónico regular. El programa se basó en los principios del aprendizaje-servicio. La evaluación del programa ha demostrado que puede satisfacer de manera significativa las necesidades de los grupos destinatarios y tiene un potencial formativo considerable en el ámbito del Trabajo Social

The Impact of Service-Learning on Students’ Key Competences

Service-learning as a teaching and learning strategy, which combines meaningful service in the community with education, has spread not only in the United States but also in South America, Asia, and Europe in recent years, with the pedagogy being applied at all levels of formal and informal education. In 2005, Matej Bel University, located in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia, developed a service-learning strategy, and by 2013 its usage had become widespread. This article presents the findings of a study that investigated the development of key competences of two student groups enrolled in courses that incorporated service-learning strategies during academic years 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 at Matej Bel University. The findings of the study suggest that service-learning strategies have positive impacts on the development of students’ key competences. The limitations of our study were conducted with a small research (experimental) group of students who passed service-learning course. Based on our research findings we can recommend service-learning as a suitable strategy for students’ key competencies development

Desarrollo de competencias claves a través del aprendizaje-servicio

The contribution answers the question as to what the benefits of service-learning in the development of key competences of Slovak university students of caring professions are. We used a combination of research methods to answer the research question. The survey sample was made up of students of social work, social pedagogy and teaching who graduated in the subjects with service-learning strategy in the academic years 2014/2015 to 2017/2018. The results of the research showed the benefits of service-learning in the development of selected key competences of students of caring professions.La contribución responde a la pregunta de cuáles son los beneficios del aprendizaje-servicio en el desarrollo de las competencias clave de los estudiantes de profesiones solidarias. Utilizamos una combinación de métodos de investigación para responder a la pregunta de investigación. La muestra de la encuesta estuvo formada por estudiantes de trabajo social, pedagogía social y educación que se graduaron en las materias con estrategia de servicio-aprendizaje en los años académicos 2014/2015 a 2017/2018. Los resultados de la investigación mostraron los beneficios del aprendizaje a través del servicio en el desarrollo de competencias clave seleccionadas de estudiantes de profesiones solidarias

Development of key competences through service-learning

La contribución responde a la pregunta de cuáles son los beneficios del aprendizaje-servicio en el desarrollo de las competencias clave de los estudiantes de profesiones solidarias. Utilizamos una combinación de métodos de investigación para responder a la pregunta de investigación. La muestra de la encuesta estuvo formada por estudiantes de trabajo social, pedagogía social y educación que se graduaron en las materias con estrategia de servicio-aprendizaje en los años académicos 2014/2015 a 2017/2018. Los resultados de la investigación mostraron los beneficios del aprendizaje a través del servicio en el desarrollo de competencias clave seleccionadas de estudiantes de profesiones solidarias.The contribution answers the question as to what the benefits of service-learning in the development of key competences of Slovak university students of caring professions are. We used a combination of research methods to answer the research question. The survey sample was made up of students of social work, social pedagogy and teaching who graduated in the subjects with service-learning strategy in the academic years 2014/2015 to 2017/2018. The results of the research showed the benefits of service-learning in the development of selected key competences of students of caring professions

Development of key competences through service-learning

La contribución responde a la pregunta de cuáles son los beneficios del aprendizaje-servicio en el desarrollo de las competencias clave de los estudiantes de profesiones solidarias. Utilizamos una combinación de métodos de investigación para responder a la pregunta de investigación. La muestra de la encuesta estuvo formada por estudiantes de trabajo social, pedagogía social y educación que se graduaron en las materias con estrategia de servicio-aprendizaje en los años académicos 2014/2015 a 2017/2018. Los resultados de la investigación mostraron los beneficios del aprendizaje a través del servicio en el desarrollo de competencias clave seleccionadas de estudiantes de profesiones solidarias.The contribution answers the question as to what the benefits of service-learning in the development of key competences of Slovak university students of caring professions are. We used a combination of research methods to answer the research question. The survey sample was made up of students of social work, social pedagogy and teaching who graduated in the subjects with service-learning strategy in the academic years 2014/2015 to 2017/2018. The results of the research showed the benefits of service-learning in the development of selected key competences of students of caring professions

Experiences With Implementation of Service-learning at Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica

This paper presents experiences with implementation of service-learning at Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica. It briefly describes the bases of service-learning implementation into education and analyses the results of a questionnaire survey carried out among our students identifying their needs

Video-Guide for e-Service-Learning Facilitators

<p>The V-Guide, developed as part of the "e-Service Learning for More Digital and Inclusive EU Higher Education Systems (2021-1-PL01-KA220-HED-000032194)" project, is a curated set of five instructional videos tailored for the eSL4EU teacher toolkit. It delves into pivotal areas of e-Service Learning, covering topics like impactful design, effective coaching, strategic pitching, and insightful assessment. Moreover, it highlights the critical tools that bolster e-SL projects. Designed with precision, this guide is an invaluable resource that complements other materials in the toolkit, offering educators a holistic understanding of e-Service Learning.</p&gt

Digital Toolkit for e-Service-Learning in Higher Education

<p>The toolkit, titled "e-SL integration in higher education," is a digital resource aimed at assisting institutions in integrating e-SL into their curriculum and learning experiences. Here's a breakdown of its structure:</p><p><strong>Digital Toolkit Overview:</strong></p><p><strong>Adopt e-SL at Institutional Level</strong>:</p><ul><li><strong>Resources</strong>: This section offers a guided roadmap packed with tangible examples. It encompasses strategic objectives, impacts, desired outcomes, outputs, and actionable steps to form a foundation for integrating e-SL at a strategic level within the institution.</li></ul><p><strong>Design e-SL Learning Experiences</strong>:</p><ul><li><strong>Resources</strong>: To facilitate the creation of e-SL courses and programs, this section provides a guided learning design canvas. This canvas is tailor-made to help in seamlessly blending e-SL into study programs and individual courses.</li></ul><p><strong>Get Inspired by Learning Activities</strong>:</p><ul><li><strong>Resources</strong>: For educators seeking inspiration, this section introduces the "eSL4EU Lenses." It's a collection of cards, each showcasing unique learning activities tailored for different stages of e-SL. This resource aims to spark creativity and offer diverse methods of teaching and engaging with e-SL.</li></ul&gt