TRAINING OF EDUCATORS FOR SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION IN THE COUNTRYSIDE: EXPERIENCE OF THE DEGREE IN RURAL EDUCATION/DISTANCE EDUCATION AT UFSM

Abstract

This experience report addresses the Degree Course in Rural Education, offered by the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM) in the distance modality (EaD), with the objective of training educators to work in rural communities. The course serves family farmers, young people and adults, who face difficulties in accessing face-to-face higher education due to responsibilities in the field. With face-to-face support centers in 19 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul, the training promotes social inclusion and local development, articulating teaching, research and extension with a focus on Agroecology. Between 2023 and 2024, a qualitative survey with 98 freshmen (61% of those enrolled) revealed that 64% of students are women, aged between 29 and 38 years, many already with specialization. The course offers flexibility to reconcile work, studies and family life, using the Moodle Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) as a central tool. The results indicate that the course contributes to the transformation of rural communities, forming critical and committed educators. However, the dropout rate of 52.2% points to the need for strategies that strengthen academic retention and success. Knowledge of the profile of freshmen is essential to adjust training to their expectations and the demands of the communities, promoting a contextualized and emancipatory rural education.