This study aimed at examining the Community Service Practices (CSP) lesson, which was an applied lesson in the distance education process, with SWOT analysis based on the opinions of Preschool Teacher candidates who will work with the youngest but the fastest development unit of the society. The participants of the study were 52 preschool teacher candidates studying at a state university in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. The data were collected by using document analysis, one of the qualitative data collection methods. The obtained data were analyzed by using content analysis method. The data obtained were categorized as strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in parallel with the SWOT Analysis. As a result of the study, the opinions that the participants repeated the most as the strengths of the CSP lesson held with distance education were being happy, helping each other, developing self-confidence, carrying out the lessons from home, raising people’s awareness, enabling children to learn by having fun, and being efficient. Considering the weaknesses, the participants mentioned not being able to practice, not getting spiritual pleasure, having difficulty in finding activities, not being able to establish social interaction, having difficulties in communicating with classmates, not being able to gain professional experience, and lack of equipment. The opinions the participants repeated the most in the opportunities category were gaining experience in conducting an applied lesson like CSP in a distance learning environment, reaching many students through activities, professional development, and learning to develop activities. The factors perceived by the same participants as threats were problems arising from the Internet speed and lack of infrastructure, difficulty in the inspection, and problems arising from the lesson content.
Distance learning, community services practices, SWOT analysis, preschool education, preschool education teacher candidates