Active Learning Methodologies for Increasing the Interest and Engagement in Computer Science Subjects in Vocational Education and Training

• Published in: Education sciences Vol. 15; no. 8; p. 1017
• Main Authors: Díaz-Lauzurica, Belkis, Moreno-Salinas, David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 07.08.2025
• Subjects: Absenteeism; Academic achievement; Active learning; Addition; Basic Skills; Behavior Problems; Blended Learning; Classroom Environment; Classrooms; Collaboration; Compulsory Education; Computer science; Cooperative Learning; Creative Thinking; Educational Facilities Improvement; Educational Games; Educational Practices; Educational technology; Evaluative Thinking; Exhibits; Experiential Learning; Influence of Technology; Labor market; Learner Engagement; Learning Motivation; Lifelong Learning; Motivation; Pedagogy; Problem solving; Robotics; Software; Student Interests; Student Motivation; Students; Teachers; Teaching; Vocational education
• ISSN: 2227-7102; 2227-7102
• DOI: 10.3390/educsci15081017

Active learning strategies and methodologies place the students at the core of the learning process. The objective is to engage students in their own learning through significant activities that involve active participation. These activities are designed to promote collaboration, reflection, and practical application of the knowledge acquired to develop cognitive, social, and emotional competences. These methodologies are of particular interest in STEM disciplines and vocational education, where practice is a key element in the assimilation of theoretical concepts. In this line, a case study is presented where active methodologies have been applied to two groups of Vocational Education and Training in the area of Computer Science to improve interest and commitment. The present study focuses on two groups of first-year students enrolled in the Web Application Design course, one in the Programming subject and the other in the Markup Language subject. Both groups are heterogeneous, composed of young adults with significantly different backgrounds, skills, and motivation. The teaching–learning process is based on active methodologies, such as Project-Based Learning, Design Thinking, Flipped Classroom, or gamification, which are adapted for different subjects in the field of Computer Science. These methodologies facilitate the experimental design and testing of diverse solutions for programming problems, thereby enhancing students’ motivation and interest, while promoting creativity and reflection. The results show an improvement in the interest and commitment of the students in both groups. Despite the fact that less than 50% of students successfully passed in the initial examination, more than 75% students passed after the second-chance examination. The findings have consistently suggested that the implementation of active methodologies leads to significant enhancements in the proficiency, development, motivation, and self-learning capabilities of students, and that these methodologies make students more aware of their learning process.