Development of research competencies through the implementation of classroom projects at the Unified General Baccalaureate level

Main Article Content

Blanca Esperanza Eras Gallegos
Liliana Flor Elisa Eras Gallegos
Ana Lucia Salas Ortiz

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the development of research competencies in students of the Unified General Baccalaureate (BGU) through the implementation of classroom projects as an active pedagogical strategy. The research was framed within the Ecuadorian educational context, where the national curriculum promotes comprehensive education and the development of performance based skills. A mixed methods approach with a quasi experimental design was employed, working with a sample of 120 second year baccalaureate students from two public educational institutions in the city of Quito. Data collection instruments included a research competency assessment rubric, a Likert type questionnaire, and semi structured interviews. Results showed a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05) in the competencies of problem formulation, information search and analysis, methodological design, and communication of findings in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusions indicate that classroom projects constitute an effective strategy for fostering critical thinking, intellectual autonomy, and a research culture from secondary education, aligned with the objectives of the Ecuadorian national curriculum.

Article Details

Section

Articulo original

Author Biographies

Blanca Esperanza Eras Gallegos, Corporación Servicio Paz y justicia Del Ecuador

Licenciada en Ciencias de la Educación Básica, Auxiliar Parvulario. Actualmente es integrante de la Corporación SERPAJ-ECUADOR ( Servicio Paz y Justicia del Ecuador)

Liliana Flor Elisa Eras Gallegos, Corporación Servicio Paz y justicia Del Ecuador

Licenciada en Ciencias de la Educación Mención Educación Primaria, miembro activo de la Corporación SERPAJ-ECUADOR ( Servicio Paz y Justicia del Ecuador )

Ana Lucia Salas Ortiz, Unidad Educatica Nasacota Puento

Licenciada en Pedagogía de las Matemáticas y la Física, orientada al desarrollo del pensamiento crítico, el análisis reflexivo y la enseñanza significativa de las ciencias exactas.

How to Cite

Eras Gallegos, B. E., Eras Gallegos, L. F. E., & Salas Ortiz, A. L. (2025). Development of research competencies through the implementation of classroom projects at the Unified General Baccalaureate level . Didaxis. Revista Educativa, Social Y Humanista, 2(2), 79-92. https://doi.org/10.64325/c71ebz76

References

Ausubel, D. P. (2000). The acquisition and retention of knowledge: A cognitive view. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9454-7

Avalos, B. (2011). Teacher professional development in Teaching and Teacher Education over ten years. Teaching and Teacher Education, 27(1), 10–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2010.08.007

Bell, S. (2010). Project‐based learning for the 21st century: Skills for the future. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas, 83(2), 39–43. https://doi.org/10.1080/00098650903505415

Braun, V., y Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–01. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Campbell, D. T., y Stanley, J. C. (1966). Experimental and quasi‐experimental designs for research. Houghton Mifflin. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.38.2.233

Castillo Cuenca, K. V. ., Álava Domínguez, A. A. ., Pastillo Andrango, R. I. ., & Veloz Troya, E. C. . (2025). Talleres de pensamiento crítico como herramienta para mejorar la comprensión lectora en bachillerato. DISCE. Revista Científica Educativa Y Social, 2(1), 172-187. https://doi.org/10.69821/DISCE.v2i1.42

Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2a ed.). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203771587

Creswell, J. W., y Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (3a ed.). SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.1002/nha3.20258

Darling‐Hammond, L., Hyler, M. E., y Gardner, M. (2017). Effective teacher professional development. Learning Policy Institute. https://doi.org/10.54300/122.311

Espinoza Freire, E. E. (2020). La investigación formativa: una reflexión teórica. Conrado, 16(74), 45–53. https://doi.org/10.36260/rbr.v9i5.988

George, D., y Mallery, P. (2020). IBM SPSS Statistics 26 step by step: A simple guide and reference (16a ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429056765

Gómez Contreras, J. L. (2020). La investigación formativa como estrategia pedagógica. Revista de Investigaciones UCM, 20(35), 68–81. https://doi.org/10.22383/ri.v20i35.144

Guskey, T. R. (2002). Professional development and teacher change. Teachers and Teaching, 8(3), 381–391. https://doi.org/10.1080/135406002100000512

Han, S., Capraro, R., y Capraro, M. M. (2015). How science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) project‐based learning (PBL) affects high, middle, and low achievers differently. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 13(5), 1089–1113. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-014-9526-0

Hernández Sampieri, R., y Mendoza Torres, C. P. (2018). Metodología de la investigación: las rutas cuantitativa, cualitativa y mixta. McGraw Hill. https://doi.org/10.22201/fesc.20072236e.2019.10.18.6

Hmelo‐Silver, C. E. (2004). Problem‐based learning: What and how do students learn? Educational Psychology Review, 16(3), 235–266. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:EDPR.0000034022.16470.f3

Jaik Dipp, A. (2013). Competencias investigativas: una mirada a la educación superior. Instituto Politécnico Nacional. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.2726.8083

Johnson, D. W., y Johnson, R. T. (2019). Cooperative learning: The foundation for active learning. En S. M. Brito (Ed.), Active Learning: Beyond the Future (pp. 59–71). IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.83668

Kilpatrick, W. H. (1918). The project method. Teachers College Record, 19(4), 319–335. https://doi.org/10.1177/016146811801900404

Kokotsaki, D., Menzies, V., y Wiggins, A. (2016). Project‐based learning: A review of the literature. Improving Schools, 19(3), 267–277. https://doi.org/10.1177/1365480216659733

Krajcik, J. S., y Shin, N. (2014). Project‐based learning. En R. K. Sawyer (Ed.), The Cambridge handbook of the learning sciences (2a ed., pp. 275–297). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139519526.018

Laal, M., y Ghodsi, S. M. (2012). Benefits of collaborative learning. Procedia: Social and Behavioral Sciences, 31, 486–490. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.12.091

Martínez Chairez, G. I., Guevara Araiza, A., y Valles Ornelas, M. M. (2016). El desempeño docente y la calidad educativa. Ra Ximhai, 12(6), 123–134. https://doi.org/10.35197/rx.12.01.e3.2016.06.gm

Ministerio de Educación del Ecuador. (2016). Currículo de los niveles de educación obligatoria. Subsecretaría de Fundamentos Educativos. https://educacion.gob.ec/curriculo/

Moreira Cedeño, S. A., Nugra Sanizaca, C. L., Monroy Villón, A. E., & Castro Torres, J. B. (2022). El saber filosófico de la educación. Ciencia Latina Revista Científica Multidisciplinar, 6 (6), 5311-5320.

Osborne, J. (2010). Arguing to learn in science: The role of collaborative, critical discourse. Science, 328(5977), 463–466. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1183944

Pedrinaci, E., Caamano, A., Cañal, P., y De Pro, A. (2012). La evaluación de la competencia científica requiere nuevas formas de evaluar los aprendizajes. En E. Pedrinaci (Coord.), 11 ideas clave: el desarrollo de la competencia científica (pp. 241–267). Graó. https://doi.org/10.30827/publicaciones.v48i2.8331

Restrepo Gómez, B. (2005). Aprendizaje basado en problemas (ABP): una innovación didáctica para la enseñanza universitaria. Educación y Educadores, 8, 9–20. https://doi.org/10.5294/edu.2005.8.1.1

Thomas, J. W. (2000). A review of research on project‐based learning. Autodesk Foundation. https://doi.org/10.7771/1541-5015.1016

Turpo Gebera, O., y Hurtado Mazeyra, A. (2019). Formación investigativa en la universidad: sentidos asignados por el profesorado. Formación Universitaria, 12(4), 59–70. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-50062019000400059

Vigotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvjf9vz4

Villavicencio Aguilar, C. E., y Rivero Peiró, I. (2019). Prácticas pedagógicas en el nivel de bachillerato ecuatoriano: un estudio exploratorio. Revista Científica UISRAEL, 6(3), 87–102. https://doi.org/10.35290/rcui.v6n3.2019.130

Willison, J., y O’Regan, K. (2007). Commonly known, commonly not known, totally unknown: A framework for students becoming researchers. Higher Education Research & Development, 26(4), 393–409. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360701658609

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.