Against Social and Digital Exclusion

Service-Learning as a Bridge between University, School, and Community

Authors

  • Mar Beneyto-Seoane Departamento de Pedagogía, Facultad de Educación, Traducción, Deporte y Psicología (FETEP), Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya, Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5946-2670
  • Carles Bosch Departamento de Ingenierías, Facultad de Ciencias, Tecnología e Ingenierías, Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya, Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4179-0451
  • Ramon Reig-Bolaño Departamento de Ingenierías, Facultad de Ciencias, Tecnología e Ingenierías, Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya, Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7648-4502
  • Núria Simó-Gil Departamento de Pedagogía, Facultad de Educación, Traducción, Deporte y Psicología (FETEP), Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya, Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4218-8801

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25749/sis.41809

Keywords:

digital divide, digital competence, civic participation, youth in vulnerable situations, service-learning

Abstract

This article presents five Service-Learning (SL) experiences led by Social and Digital Innovation Laboratory (LISD) of the University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC) in collaboration with educational and community institutions in Vic (Barcelona), aimed at reducing digital exclusion among young people. The projects improved participants’ digital skills, well-being, and social participation, while strengthening the relationship between the university and the local community. LISD played a key role in identifying socio-digital needs and coordinating innovative initiatives. The results highlight the transformative potential of SL and its capacity to foster civic engagement and professional competencies. The study emphasizes the need to expand these experiences to diverse contexts, evaluate them using validated tools, and design them with, from, and for the community. SL emerges as an effective strategy to promote digital equity, participatory culture, and meaningful responses to the challenges of an evolving digital society.

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Author Biographies

Mar Beneyto-Seoane, Departamento de Pedagogía, Facultad de Educación, Traducción, Deporte y Psicología (FETEP), Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya, Spain

Associate Professor in the Department of Pedagogy of the Faculty of Education, Translation, Sport and Psychology at the University of Vic – Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC). She teaches in the Bachelor's programs in Social Education,Education Master in Inclusive Education and PhD in Educational Innovation. Member of Educational Research at the University of Vic (GREUV). Her research focuses on social inequalities, inclusion, digital participation in educational and social contexts, community action, and learning-service.

Carles Bosch, Departamento de Ingenierías, Facultad de Ciencias, Tecnología e Ingenierías, Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya, Spain

Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering at the University of Vic – Central University of Catalonia and member of the Digital Care research group. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (Spain) and the University of Limoges (France), and has served as researcher and professor at several institutions. His research focuses on computer graphics, computer vision, and socio-digital inclusion, with a special emphasis on 3D digitization and the application of technologies on social contexts.

Ramon Reig-Bolaño, Departamento de Ingenierías, Facultad de Ciencias, Tecnología e Ingenierías, Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya, Spain

PhD and M.Sc. degree in Telecommunications Engineering for the UPC-Barcelona, in 2008 and 1994. His current research interests are in Artificial Intelligence Systems applied to image and signal processing, with particular emphasis on multimodal and multi-scalar Data Fusion techniques; he also is interested in Embedded Electronics and IoT, and in Connected Health and well-being IT solutions. He is a member of the Digital Care research Group. From 2021 on is Assistant Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at the UVic-UCC.

Núria Simó-Gil, Departamento de Pedagogía, Facultad de Educación, Traducción, Deporte y Psicología (FETEP), Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya, Spain

Lecturer of the Department of Pedagogy of the Faculty of Education, Translation, Sport and Psychology at the University of Vic – Central University of Catalonia(UVic-UCC). Teaching areas: Qualitative Research Methods in Degree of Social Work, Education Master in Inclusive Education and PhD in Educational Innovation Member of Educational Research at the University of Vic (GREUV). The research projects currently developed are related to the research: "Education, Citizenship and Democracy". Her study interests are: Teacher Training and Social Work Education; Processes of social inclusion and education with children and youth, Democracy and education.

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Published

2025-10-31

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 3 (2025): Scientific and Digital Cultures in research that articulates university-school-society

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Articles

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