Learning through teaching: a program focused on the teaching of programming logic from an early stage in public schools supported by service-learning

Abstract

Teachers’own experiences allows them to select appropriate strategies and learning methodologies to design activities that would allow students to stay motivated and achieve the learning objectives of the course. This represents a challenge with the new generation of students that are easily distracted, have little tolerance and patience, and are used to solving problems quickly by simply looking up the information required through an internet search. Before starting the academic year, teachers have to take into account the necessary technological resources to use, in addition to having redesigned a course according to the institutional pedagogical model, without ignoring their experience in the subject matter. Incorporating the paradigm of learning through teaching, linking it with the service-learning methodology and various challenging activities, has an impact not only on technical training but also on the all-around education of the students. Better results are achieved in terms of efficiency, effectiveness and quality, as well as boosting students’ commitment and well-being, thus establishing a good correlation between the student's interests and what we expect them to learn. The main protagonists are the students who teach and learn during the semester, gradually growing in knowledge, managing to construct knowledge themselves thanks to the activities carried out in class, at home and those associated with the service, whilst also benefitting a community with certain needs.