Evaluation of Problem-Based Learning in Rural University Education

In Colombia, the rural population experiences difficulties in accessing higher education and suffers from high dropout and low graduation rates due to its socioeconomic challenges, difficult to-reach locations, and low-quality secondary education, thereby generating inequality and exclusion. This s...

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Main Author: Carolina María Sánchez-Sáenz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia (UPTC) 2025-03-01
Series:Praxis & Saber
Subjects:
Online Access:https://revistas.uptc.edu.co/index.php/praxis_saber/article/view/15957
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author Carolina María Sánchez-Sáenz
author_facet Carolina María Sánchez-Sáenz
author_sort Carolina María Sánchez-Sáenz
collection DOAJ
description In Colombia, the rural population experiences difficulties in accessing higher education and suffers from high dropout and low graduation rates due to its socioeconomic challenges, difficult to-reach locations, and low-quality secondary education, thereby generating inequality and exclusion. This study explores how project-based learning (PBL) affects the sense of inclusion for rural students in higher education, an area with limited existing research. Specifically, it examines the perceptions and experiences of students in the Special Program of Admission and Academic Mobility (PEAMA) at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia SUMAPAZ campus and how this teaching method impacts their inclusion. The data from the semi-structured interviews with open questions was analyzed through thematic analysis, and three key themes related to inclusion were identified: aspirations and opportunities, adaptation, and problem-solving attitudes. These topics allowed us to conclude that the students are grateful for the inclusion opportunity that the Program offers them, since without it, they would not have had access to Higher Education.
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language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia (UPTC)
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spelling doaj-art-d83db6719fd24b7daccc9a0d96b4ea7c2025-08-20T02:29:29ZengUniversidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia (UPTC)Praxis & Saber2462-86032025-03-01164410.19053/uptc.22160159.v16.n44.2025.15957Evaluation of Problem-Based Learning in Rural University EducationCarolina María Sánchez-Sáenz0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2746-7714National University of Colombia In Colombia, the rural population experiences difficulties in accessing higher education and suffers from high dropout and low graduation rates due to its socioeconomic challenges, difficult to-reach locations, and low-quality secondary education, thereby generating inequality and exclusion. This study explores how project-based learning (PBL) affects the sense of inclusion for rural students in higher education, an area with limited existing research. Specifically, it examines the perceptions and experiences of students in the Special Program of Admission and Academic Mobility (PEAMA) at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia SUMAPAZ campus and how this teaching method impacts their inclusion. The data from the semi-structured interviews with open questions was analyzed through thematic analysis, and three key themes related to inclusion were identified: aspirations and opportunities, adaptation, and problem-solving attitudes. These topics allowed us to conclude that the students are grateful for the inclusion opportunity that the Program offers them, since without it, they would not have had access to Higher Education. https://revistas.uptc.edu.co/index.php/praxis_saber/article/view/15957 rural populationhigher education inclusive educationthematic approachsolving problems autonomous learning
spellingShingle Carolina María Sánchez-Sáenz
Evaluation of Problem-Based Learning in Rural University Education
Praxis & Saber
rural population
higher education
inclusive education
thematic approach
solving problems
autonomous learning
title Evaluation of Problem-Based Learning in Rural University Education
title_full Evaluation of Problem-Based Learning in Rural University Education
title_fullStr Evaluation of Problem-Based Learning in Rural University Education
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of Problem-Based Learning in Rural University Education
title_short Evaluation of Problem-Based Learning in Rural University Education
title_sort evaluation of problem based learning in rural university education
topic rural population
higher education
inclusive education
thematic approach
solving problems
autonomous learning
url https://revistas.uptc.edu.co/index.php/praxis_saber/article/view/15957
work_keys_str_mv AT carolinamariasanchezsaenz evaluationofproblembasedlearninginruraluniversityeducation