The effect of an 8-week service-learning program on traditional sports games courses on the soft skills of pre-service physical education teachers

Abstract

Soft skills are essential to helping pre-service physical education teachers become successful people after completing their undergraduate education. However, it is miserable that in the lecture process, not all courses integrate improving pre-service physical education teachers' soft skills. This research aimed to examine the effect of 8 weeks of service learning in traditional sports games courses on improving the soft skills of prospective physical education teachers. Experimental research with a one-group pre-test and post-test design was used. The population in this study were prospective physical education teachers for the 5th semester of the 2023 academic year, with 30 students. Sampling was taken using the total sampling technique. In collecting data, an instrument in the form of a questionnaire was used, which was prepared and developed by the researcher. This instrument has a validity value of 0.49 - 0.84 and a reliability of 0.92. Quantitative analysis was used using the ideal standard deviation and ideal average value. Furthermore, to determine the difference between before and after service-learning, paired sample t-test analysis was used. The result of this research showed a significant difference in soft skills between before and after service learning (Sig .000 or < 0.05). This research concluded that the soft skills of pre-service physical education teachers after-service learning have a better score compared to before-service learning. In the service-learning process, pre-service physical education teachers integrated classroom knowledge with actual community practice.