Development of assessment criteria for project work, based on direct observation of the methology, in a real case of an infant education classroom

Abstract

The studies of training for teaching, in Primary Education and Early Childhood Education, have allowed to know different methodologies and educational models, as well as the learning of professional skills, attitudes and competences that are required to practice teaching. In the case of Project Work methodology, despite having its origin several centuries ago, it is currently booming in Spain, being implemented especially in Early Childhood education classrooms, so it has been decided to expand the information on this methodology. For this reason, it has been necessary to resort to the review of various studies and examples of practical applications, carried out in some educational centers. The selection criteria of the school selected for this study, was framed within the context of the choice of centers for the development of Practicum IIIat the University of Valladolid,after prior investigation of thosecenters wherethis methodology was worked and carried out. This is how the choice of school allowed both direct observation of teaching practice in an Early Childhood classroom with 22 4-year-old students, as well as an evaluation of the practical application of the Project Work Methodology, under the focus of the following approach: are the criteria that this methodology follows being met? During the observed practice, data were obtained and 8 criteria were constructed to assess the observed practice. Likewise, a proposal for improvement has been made based on what the author of this work has contrasted with the methodological principles for the application of Project Work, following a logical order according to the proposed evaluation criteria and responding to: What says the theory?, What was observed in the real practice of the classroom? and ‘the improvement proposal: What would I do?