SERIOUS GAMES AIMED AT ACQUIRING PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Training in professional skills is a complex process that requires the design of learning activities For understanding through the construction of meanings. The acquisition of skills, knowledge and attitudes for the professional activity of social educators can be more effective using gamified teaching-learning environments enriched with emerging technologies, such as Serious Games (SG). These educational simulations promote motivation, the application of knowledge and the understanding of social phenomena through active learning. The objective of this research is to assess the use of SG for the development of competences associated with the profession of Social Educator social awareness and community development) Through a qualitative methodology, work sessions with SG were developed with three groups of university students of the Degree in Social Education (N = 73). Observation data from sessions and student records in digital portfolios were analyzed. The effectiveness of the SG in the acquisition of professional competences and the educational potential of these simulations were evidenced: improvement of understanding, problem solving skills, promotion of creativity, recognition of emotions and decision making.