Abstract:

CEDES foundation is a center that attends people with intellectual and development disabilities (IDD) from school to workplace. Many people with this kind of problems do not understand why they are different from people without them. At the same time, many of them have not acquired a complete language development and they are not able to read.

A Service-Learning methodology experience on Biotechnology subject has been designed to mend this situation. It is a subject for fourth year Pharmacy students that includes the knowledge about human genetics. Volunteers among students of the subject have been recruited to prepare a video, using PowToon, to explain the most relevant information about DNA and heredity concepts to people with an IDD. PowToon is an online software that has the function of creating animated presentations in a kind of caricature. Students are encouraged to use pictograms and visual tools to communicate with CEDES users. Through this activity it is expected that students will develop their communication skills and will reach a deeper learning of the basics of the subject. Furthermore, they will get in contact with IDD community that it is sometimes difficult to know during the training. The evaluation of this activity could increase 10% of the mark in the subject.

At the end of the activity, both groups should be satisfied to have achieved their respective objectives with an added social value.

Keywords:

Communication skills, DNA, Service-learning.