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Arts & Communication Fostering civic values through short animations

teaching processes across various areas of knowledge. In values that can be taught in the classroom. Simultaneously,
theory, these resources have the potential to deliver high- this task aims to stimulate critical thinking through the
quality content and achieve specific objectives, including process of selecting short animations and verifying the
enhancing student engagement in elementary, secondary, effectiveness of this tool for teaching a complex subject,
and higher education. Moreover, the increasing emphasis such as citizenship. In this regard, the findings can support
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on improving student participation and active listening has and motivate other educators to delve into the research
encouraged educators to explore new teaching methods. area or apply ABL, not only within humanities subjects but
For example, methodologies, such as case studies, debates, also across diverse fields of knowledge.
role-playing, and short animation-based approaches, have Moreover, civic values encompass ethical principles
been proven to optimize student learning skills. and moral ideals that are fundamental to the functioning
In this context, our study delves into the intersection of civil society, including notions of justice, equality,
of digital transformation and education, with a specific tolerance, respect for diversity, and the rule of law.
focus on the implementation of animated-based learning Conversely, educational methodologies represent the
(ABL), a methodology utilizing short animations to teach systematic approaches and pedagogical strategies employed
civic values. As societies navigate complex sociopolitical by educators to facilitate learning outcomes. These
landscapes, the cultivation of civic values among learners methodologies encompass a spectrum of instructional
becomes imperative. Learning through short animation techniques, ranging from traditional didactic approaches
has long been acknowledged as a valuable pedagogical to more interactive and experiential methods.
tool in shaping the civic character of young children. Finally, it is crucial to acknowledge that citizenship
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This didactic tool harnesses the power of concise yet education is an ongoing process, promoting and sustaining
impactful animations to facilitate the transmission of a positive outlook toward lifelong learning. This involves
these values in educational settings. By leveraging visual acquiring skills to efficiently utilize virtual resources in
storytelling, this approach not only captivates learners’ the digital age, which can be geared toward maximizing
attention but also facilitates deeper understanding and both the professional growth of future teachers and the
retention of civic concepts. However, the challenge persists development of student’s critical thinking abilities. 5
in navigating the vast expanse of online information
and effectively identifying valuable didactic materials. Nonetheless, the study aims to contribute insights into
Besides, encouraging the development of children into the practical application and pedagogical implications of
good citizens, who actively contribute to society through utilizing short animations for civic education in primary
altruistic and community-oriented actions as part of their schools, thereby addressing existing gaps in the literature
civic engagement, has emerged as a central focus of both and informing educational practice. The following
policy and practice in Spain and Europe. However, there objectives delineate the study’s aims, seeking to address the
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is still a scarcity of literature exploring the implementation research inquiries:
of this didactic resource between university students, (i) To assess how the utilization of this didactic resource
particularly in the realm of higher education and the contributes to the promotion of civic values in
training of future educators. primary schools, as perceived by aspiring educators
and university students.
Our study aims to investigate the effectiveness of (ii) To examine the impact of this instructional tool on the
employing short animations as a pedagogical resource development of critical thinking skills among aspiring
for instilling civic values within the context of digital educators and university students.
transformation in education. In addition, we seek to elucidate
how this approach may bolster students’ understanding of 2. Theoretical framework
civic responsibilities, foster ethical decision-making, and Recent research highlights several essential components
develop critical thinking skills. Therefore, we ask aspiring for effective civic education pedagogy. These include
educators: Is this tool a legitimate pedagogical instrument fostering experiential learning for integrating values
for instilling civic virtues in primary school children? advocated by educators, promoting personal reflection,

This paper presents an ABL proposal as a didactic encouraging students to defend their values, making
resource for promoting civic values in primary education personal choices, and creating a classroom environment
schools, showcasing a practical task already implemented in conducive to active participation in the social sphere. In
university classrooms. The practical task assigned to future addition, there is heightened awareness of the importance
teachers involves watching short animations, classifying of fostering empathy, cultural understanding, and global
them using a content curation method, and identifying citizenship in an interconnected world. Therefore,

Volume 2 Issue 3 (2024) 2 doi: 10.36922/ac.2806