Learning strategies implemented through the use of computers and the Internet as support mechanisms for curricular learning in Science and Social Studies

Abstract

The purpose of the research was to determine the learning strategies implemented through the use of XO and Classmate computers and Internet as support mechanisms for curricular learning in Science and Social Studies for students of the León Cortes Castro school at San Marcos de Tarrazú, Costa Rica.The research was implemented with three sixth-level school groups in 2011. The information is from 70 students and the corresponding three teachers from each group. Each one of the groups worked with different technology, one group with XO-01, another group whit Classmate PC and the third one with Classmate Magallanes. In order to develop the research, questionnaires were applied to students and teachers. Both questionnaires were self-administered and anonymous. The information compiled was processed and a tendency analysis was applied, grouping the data according to level and sub-level in the questionnaires. For the analysis process, the Jesús Beltrán proposal, his definition and categorization of the learning strategies was used as a theoretical reference. The results show that sensibilization, elaboration and metacognitive strategies were developed in the group of students. In the case of the teachers, the research allowed the identification of the main activities developed to explain curricular learning in Science and Social Studies (questionnaires, summaries and diagrams).