Service-learning, attitudes and civic skills in a group of students from a private university in Lima, Peru

Abstract

This research explores and describes the perceptions, in a group of students, about the methodology and the implementation of a Service-Learning project carried out as the final project of a subject of the Psychology degree program at a private university in Lima, Peru, as well as the effects this project had on the civic skills and attitudes of the students. A mixed methods design was used, combining pre- and post-project measurements from a translated and adapted version of the civic attitudes and skills questionnaire (CASQ). Semi-structured interviews were carried out to collect qualitative data on the effect of the project and the perceptions of its participants. The quantitative data did not show significant changes in any of the areas; on the contrary, the qualitative data show a positive assessment of the service-learning project and the learning methodology, as well as certain changes in the civic attitudes of the students.