Tecnología para la comunicación y la solución de problemas en el aula. Efectos en el aprendizaje significativo

Interest for increasing meaningful learning is a concern to various lines of research in the field ofeducation. However, little is known about how this process can be facilitated by using technologicalresources. In this article, we want to explore how the use of technology, which fosterscommunication and problem solving in the classroom, is related to meaningful learning. In thestudy participated five public schools of the Cundinamarca department and the analyses wereconducted on 470 observations of senior high school student’s survey answers. The study wascarried out under a school reform program that used a strategy of teaching - learning, in which ICTelements were integrated to develop technological skills. Two instruments were administered: anon-participant observation format to register the use of ICT resources and a student's perceptionsurvey evaluating meaningful learning. The univariate analysis of variance suggests that use oftechnology for communication and problem solving in the classroom is related to meaningfullearning in terms of emotional and affective engagement with academic contents. The results alsoshow relationships between students’ experience and their previous knowledge, as well as,development of their transfer skills to problem-solving situations.