Reflections of secondary school teachers on the usefulness and viability of participatory techniques in the formal education system

Abstract

In today's society, big changes happen in a fleeting way. Technological progress implies that teachers must constantly adapt and reinvent themselves and that their training process is developed throughout their lives. It is no longer enough to have a degree or qualification to achieve success or happiness. To professional performance we must add some key skills, such as communication skills, relationship skills, attitude, etc. together with the flexibility to accept the challenges that arise on a daily basis. Twelve activities were developed, based on Kolb's experiential learning cycle and Dewey's Experiential Learning Theory with the students of a Secondary Education Center with the aim of observing and verifying the degree of usefulness and feasibility of the project. The research was based on the qualitative paradigm through the content analysis of the semi-structured interviews that were carried out with four teachers from the Center, who participated in the experience. A table of categories was designed with a mixed process: deductive and inductive. Among the main conclusions obtained, it is highlighted that the activities carried out have encouraged the participation of the students, they have learned the contents treated, their curiosity and their capacity for organization and their autonomy. On the other hand, a very positive assessment has been obtained from the teaching staff and they emphasize that for the experience to be viable in other Educational Centers, a good organization of all the agents involved and the educational community itself is necessary, at the same time that teacher involvement is necessary. The use of a qualitative methodology in this research has made it possible to deepen the opinion of the agents involved, to improve and disseminate the experience.

Playful activities in the learning process

“…Whether it's a board game, sport, or recreational activity, play can be a great way to relieve stress and enjoy life. Playfulness in education is a pedagogical approach that is based on the use of games, and recreational and dynamic activities to improve the teaching-learning process (Rodríguez-Jiménez et al, 2022). This methodology seeks to encourage learning through enjoyment and fun, promoting creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving.…”