Digital community engagement programs offer a range of benefits for students that are recognised and appreciated among them. This is one of the main conclusions that came out of our field research among students. In our research, 117 students, coming from more than 5 EU countries, shared their point of view and experience with digital community work.
Students participating in the survey, highly recognised values coming from community engagement related to soft skills, as creativity, empathy, or deeper understanding of social challenges, as they are a good preparation for the job market. Not only the development of skills is endorsed, but also the practical application of theoretical knowledge is seen as relevant. This aligns with the idea that experiential learning provides a more holistic and comprehensive approach to education, helping students to develop practical skills and abilities that they can use in their future careers.
Digital activities with the community are a way of starting a net of contacts that help their future personal and professional development. Digital community work can provide valuable experience and skills that are transferable to future employment opportunities and highlights the importance of promoting community work as a means of preparing students for the demands of the modern workforce.
In the chart below, there is a summary of the main value and benefits that students highlighted in DICE’s field research.
For further and detailed information check section “Results” in this website.
Based on the knowledge gained from desk and field research we are now developing two Value Maps, that will serve educators and students themselves as a trustable and valuable tool when developing their own projects.
