Evaluation of a Service-Learning Intervention in music education for teacher training

Abstract

Service-Learning (SL) is an innovative methodology that integrates the learning of a subject and the implementation of the acquired knowledge through meaningful community service. Reflection and experiential learning strategies support the process. This study aims to assess an intervention program with SL methodology in Music Education teacher training. For this reason, evaluative research is proposed with both an experimental and a control group for a sample of 93 university students. Two tools are used, a validated one on learning strategies and an assessing one on the acquisition of musical knowledge. Results reflect an improvement in the cognitive dimension both in strategies and concerning musical knowledge as well as in the affective dimension of support and control. Significant differences were also found related to learning between both groups in favour of the group in which the intervention was carried out. Further research is recommended in this area with SL to consolidate the results and to observe the effectiveness of this methodology.