Which Weaknesses-Threats and Strengths-Opportunities future Preschool Teacher Training perceives at the beginning of Project Based Learning in the context of the University Organic Garden?

Abstract

This paper presents the Strengths-Weaknesses (S-W) and Opportunities-Threats (O-T) detected by 41 students of the Degree of Preschool Teacher Training. The project used the Organic Garden at the University as a learning context. SWOT matrix is used at the first stage of the project as an instrument of evaluation and also as strategy to bring the garden closer to the students as topic and capture their interest. This matrix is used as a first step in the negotiation between the group of students and the teacher to arrange an agreement about the final objective of the project. The main weaknesses detected by the students are the limited time available and what is required time that a garden creation takes (55,2%). In terms of threats, issues with garden safety is a predominant factor (43.9%) together with climatological characteristics (31,8%). Regarding the strengths, students highlight their ability to work as a team and cooperative to accomplish the garden (45,2%). As opportunities, students detected in the project advantages in both professional and personal learning scope that will allow them to acquire the experience (29,9%) implemented by the capacity of be able to organize visits and educational activities with schools for early childhood educational (24,7%). Finally, from a quantitative point of view, comparing SWOT positive versus negatives aspects the garden slightly leans towards the positive aspects offered by the experience, which give us the appropriate opportunities to start the project. This confirms the efficiency of the SWOT Matrix as an evaluation tool that promotes an active participation of students in the teaching and learning processes according to the EEES.