Improvement in Gender and Transgender Knowledge in University Students Through the Creative Factory Methodology

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Education
• Gender Studies

Background:

• Social Educators in Spain require awareness of gender and transgender issues due to widespread discrimination.
• Knowledge and attitudes of helping professionals impact supportive contexts for marginalized groups.
• Educational training can enhance professional knowledge and attitudes regarding gender and transgender populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of an interactive training program on Social Education students' knowledge and attitudes towards gender and transgender people.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of the "Creative Factory" methodology in improving understanding and acceptance of gender and transgender issues.

Main Methods:

• A 4-month interactive training program, the "Creative Factory" methodology, was implemented with 64 Social Education university students.
• Participants' knowledge and attitudes regarding gender and transgender issues were measured before and after the training using the Short Form of the Genderism and Transphobia Scale.

Main Results:

• Students demonstrated significant improvements in knowledge about gender and transgender issues post-training.
• Participants exhibited more positive attitudes toward transgender people after completing the program.
• The "Creative Factory" methodology facilitated analysis, discussion, and innovation in understanding social realities.

Conclusions:

• Interactive gender education training effectively enhances knowledge and positive attitudes in Social Education students.
• The "Creative Factory" methodology is a viable approach for improving gender and transgender inclusivity in educational settings.
• Improved knowledge and attitudes among future Social Educators can contribute to better support for transgender individuals.