Adquisición de valores por adolescentes en educación no formal: variables predictoras y comparativa de programas

María Belén Serrano Valenzuela.  2018

Abstract

This thesis draws on the author’s lifelong learning and professional experience within the Aragonese Institute of Youth (IAJ), where a series of research initiatives on non-formal education and youth development were carried out. Supported academically by the Faculty of Education, the GICED Research Group, and the thesis supervisor, Dr. Santos Orejudo, the study investigates learning processes and value acquisition among adolescents participating in non-formal education programs. The research was made possible through collaboration with non-profit organizations—including YMCA-Aragón, Scouts de Aragón ASDE, Fundación Piquer, and various youth work-camp organizers—which provided access to program data and practical settings for evaluation. This work combines professional practice, interdisciplinary academic guidance, and institutional cooperation to advance understanding of how non-formal educational environments contribute to the personal and social development of young people.
 

Relevance to Scouting

This research holds particular relevance for Scouting organizations, as many of the non-formal education programs analyzed—including those of Scouts de Aragón ASDE and Scouts-MSC—play a central role in shaping adolescents’ values through experiential learning in natural environments. Scouting’s long-standing emphasis on cooperation, leadership, social responsibility, and community service aligns directly with the study’s focus on how young people acquire values outside formal schooling. By evaluating the learning outcomes and predictors of value development within these programs, the thesis provides evidence-based insights that can help Scouting groups better understand the impact of their initiatives, refine their educational strategies, and strengthen their contribution to youth development.