Teaching how to support people with disabilities: active methodologies and problem-based learning.

Abstract

This paper describes the implementation of an innovation project based on the application of one of these active methodologies, Problem-Based Learning (PBL). In this experience, which targeted Education students enrolled in courses related to disability awareness, PBL was applied with a view to developing certain basic competences that would be useful in the students’ personal and professional lives. To determine whether this aim was met and to detect any possible rejection of the methodology used, various evaluation instruments were designed, such as rubrics and Likert-type questionnaires. The evaluation of the students revealed that the methodology appears to be valid for helping them develop these competences, although differences were observed in the extent to which the competences were acquired. In this regard, recognition of and respect towards disability is the competence in which the most students obtained the highest levels of performance. Finally, the positive assessment by students of the methodology and the teaching activity suggest that PBL is appropriate and that this type of experience should be continued.

Keywords

• aprendizaje basado en problemas
• competencias
• discapacidad
• espacio europeo de educación superior
• formación