The KBIP project at the Baix Camp Secondary School in Reus. An innovative methodology for the improvement of educational results of students with special needs

Abstract

Since 2009, at the Baix Camp Secondary School in Reus, we have been teaching students with special needs by means of collaborative projects. This project, called the KBIP or Knowledge Building International Project, started in Quebec. It is based on an inquiring methodology and it is set within the framework of the COMconèixer project in Catalonia. We adapt our classes to the capacities of our students with special needs using an innovative methodology that enables them to come into contact with other students all over the world, empowering their self-confidence and integrating them into the academic world. This project also strengthens significative teaching and learning processes, interdisciplinarity and educational competences, as well as integrating information and communication technologies into new existing multimedia formats. The project is carried out with 15-16-year old students in a 3-hour optional subject. We work with a small group of students and this allows us to use intensive methods that improve our students’ skills. Our method consists in building knowledge by using inquiring research. We pose big questions that have to be answered using evidence and that is the main reason why our students must use autonomy and critical thinking. Once they have completed the process, they write their conclusions using all the written information and the evidence. We observe positive results in our students’ grades and in their own personal development because they improve their vocabulary, they get used to scientific research methods, they can assess their own speech, they learn to be autonomous, and every one of them becomes an important part of a learning community.

Keywords: Secondary education, , educational outcomes, collaborative work, diversity, special needs, academic improvement, innovation.