Valoración de un diseño educativo tecnológico para prevenir el abandono escolar

Abstract

The article reports the findings of a research project funded by the Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica and the European Union. The purpose is to provide an answer to the problem of school dropout through a project implemented outside school hours. It involves a participatory approach to education where students can feel protagonists of the training process and strengthen their sense of belonging to a community through innovative activities including audiovisual media. A global assessment to diagnose the status of the matter revealed the suitability of a quantitative approach, and further understanding and interpretation of the dimensions to be studied suggested the use of a qualitative approach. Data were gathered using a semi-structured questionnaire drawn up ad hoc and filled out by 170 students. The results reveal the numerous risk factors involved in school absenteeism and dropout, which in turn require equally multiple types of interventions by the different administrations and institutions.