This study was developed with Early Childhood Preservice Teachers within the framework of the Teaching and Learning of Social Sciences over three academic years (2017–2018, 2018–2019, and 2019–2020) at the University of Alcalá. The main objective was to improve the learning to learn competence during teacher training from an outdoor experience at the Museum of Guadalajara (Spain), using e/m-learning tools (Blackboard Learn, Google Forms, QR codes, and websites) and the inquiry-based learning approach. To ascertain the level of acquisition of this competence in those teachers who were being trained, their self-perception—before and after—of the outdoor experience was assessed through a system of categories adapted from the European Commission. The results show a certain improvement in this competence in Early Childhood Preservice Teachers. Additionally, this outdoor experience shows the insufficient educational adaptation of the museum to the early childhood education stage from a social sciences point of view. Finally, we highlight the importance of carrying out outdoor experiences from an inquiry-based education approach. These outdoor experiences should be carried out in places like museums to encourage contextualized and experiential learning of the youngest in formal education.
In this study, the process of design, implementation, evaluation, and redesign of a Teaching-Learning Sequence (TLS) on simple machines for students of 9-12 years old is shown according to the principles of Design Based Research. The aim is to create a TLS that satisfactorily addresses the conceptual difficulties inherent to the object of study and that succeeds in fostering selfregulation skills and creativity. Both qualitative (focus group, semi-structured interviews, students' reports, and teacher's class notes) and quantitative instruments (a validated questionnaire and an ad hoc one with content validation by experts) are used. The statistical analysis of the questionnaires and the narrative analysis of the qualitative instruments have been triangulated. The results show that students manage to address the conceptual and procedural difficulties of the object of study while developing emotional (enjoyment and self-efficacy) and cognitive (metacognition) self-regulation skills, as well as creativity related to the scientific and artisan domains.
Dentro del estudio del Patrimonio Geológico de una región, uno de los principales objetivos es la elaboración de un inventario de Lugares de Interés Geológico que permita conocer la riqueza geológica de una región. Además, el desarrollo de este tipo de estudios permite conocer el estado de conservación de los elementos geológicos inventariados, estableciéndose una serie de medidas que permitan su preservación. Este tipo de acciones deben ser prioritarias a la hora de desarrollar cualquier tipo de actividad divulgativa, por lo que es de vital importancia gestionar su conservación previamente a su difusión. En la provincia de Guadalajara existe un importante conjunto de Lugares de Interés Geológico de gran interés tanto científico como divulgativo, por lo que es necesario analizar sus características para identificar qué elementos geológicos pueden ser susceptibles de ser empleados como georrecursos.
Among the initiatives that seek to promote earth sciences among young people are the Geology Olympics. This article analyses the perceptions of previous training among eleven of the winners of the first ten Geology Olympics held in Spain. This study also investigates the factors that have influenced young people to choose their university careers and their perceptions of the learning that participation in the Olympics has meant for them. The results indicate that the theoretical training they have received in the first cycle of secondary education has been limited and that practical content and geological field trips are practically nonexistent. Thus, only the good work of teachers has motivated them to take optional subjects such as geology and participate in activities such as the Olympics, which are a decisive factor in choosing university degree in Geology. Every participant changed their perspective of geology and its professionals after their participation in the Olympics. One of the aspects to consider is that more integrated and practical knowledge should be imparted in teacher training master's degree programs, as well as in providing more didactic instruments to future teachers so that they can implement better geological training for our young people.
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