Service learning with Kenya

Challenges of computer science students have been redesigned to focus on the service-learning method with the aim of linking student learning with social commitment, with a common central axis, Kenya.

The aim of the challenges is that, on the one hand, the students of Maristak Durango get involved in the development of a real project that motivates them and, on the other hand, get to know and cover as far as possible the needs of their peers in Kenya. It is intended to be a collaborative project between the two countries, where they work together throughout the course, so that the result is as fruitful as possible.

Everyone must coordinate to work as a team and participate and involve both parties in the challenges, carrying out tasks together (planning, meetings/videoconferences, interviews, sharing of documents, etc.).
Combining the concept of entrepreneurship with the social spirit, the main objective of this project is that the final products of the challenge can be reused by the community of Orore (Kenya), a rural area of low development and without access to resources or specific training, what it seeks is the involvement of students in the project, encouraging them to undertake a new model of life.

Session description:

The teachers gather the reality and the educational need in digital skills in a rural area of Kenya through an NGO.
Teachers redesign the challenges that students will work on during the course in the Kenyan context.
Work teams are created and the real problem situation (the challenge) is presented to the students.
The students, with the help of the team of teachers of the stage, identify and connect with the challenge.
The parameters are established, i.e. they must analyse what aspects they need to know in order to face the challenge.
Students carry out a search and organise all the information they need. During the challenge, doubts and queries will arise and they will have to contact the members of Kenya.
Students come up with different alternatives and choose their prototype/proposal to work on.
Students plan the tasks and execute them.
Students present the results they have worked on during the challenge to the teachers and the Kenyan partners.
Finally, there is a reflection and evaluation of the learning they have done throughout the challenge.