Ana Eizagirre Sagardia

Characterisation of best practices in the development of cross-curricular competences in Vocational Education and Training: case study in the Basque Country

AbstractThis paper presents the most important results of a research project aimed at gathering empirical evidence on current efforts to foster and develop cross-curricular competences (CCC) in Vocational Education and Training (VET) Centres located in the Basque Country (Spain). The case study research method was used, with data being gathered by means of a questionnaire completed by 473 teachers from 61 centres, as well as 16 group interviews with management teams, 16 discussion groups with students and 4 with teachers, and 3 in-depth interviews. Three general conclusions can be drawn from the results: (1) There is no common way of understanding or defining CCCs among the teachers–students–management teams of VET centres; (2) Cycles are the ideal context in which to develop processes of pedagogical change which incorporate work on CCCs in an integrated manner; and (3) Assessment continues to be the most problematic curricular element. The study also highlights a more specific set of conclusions related ...

Prácticas de éxito en el desarrollo de competencias transversales en centros de Formación Profesional del País Vasco

At present, competence-based approaches are gradually becoming the main axis of the European Union’s general education policies and of pedagogical practice at several educational levels. Nonetheless, it is important to analyse how the various general prescriptive directions that can easily be identified at the normative level are being put into practice in order to establish an in-depth understanding of them. This study presents the results of a research project with the aim of analysing and describing successful practices in the development of Cross-curricular Competences (CCC) in VET centres in the Basque Country. The methodology used is case studies in which a quantitative approach (a questionnaire for teachers) is used, followed by a qualitative approach comprising interviews and focus groups with management teams, students, and teachers. Analysis of the results reveals three typical cases relating to the forms and modes of institutionalization of CCCs: at the level of individual teachers where the development of CCCs is in the hands of teachers in an isolated and diffused way; at the cycle level where the teachers of a cycle as a group direct the process within a context of methodological change; and at the centre level where the development of CCC becomes an institutional feature involving all of the centre’s teachers. Each of these cases results in a particular understanding of the concept of CCCs as well as diverse ways of materializing them in teaching-learning processes. The results provide key information that enables critical reflection on the shift from individual experiences to more collaborative institutional and teaching models for developing CCCs in vocational training.