Learning styles, study habits, project-based and learning in research methodology

Abstract

This paper is aimed at presenting a project-based learning proposal for the subject Scientific Research Methodology at the Computer Science Engineering career, taking into account the learning styles of the group and the areas of opportunity identified to contribute to the improvement of students' study habits. The logical and historical analysis, the analytical synthetic method, the Honey-Alonso questionnaire of learning styles (CHAEA, for its Spanish equivalent) and the Iadov technique were used as research methods. Descriptive statistics are applied. The results of the diagnosis of learning styles were: active style: 11.6, reflective style: 16.5, theoretical style: 13.9 and pragmatic style: 14.6. The reflective style predominates. The active style is the one with the lowest score. The study showed that the diagnosis of learning styles constitutes a valuable resource that enriches the orientation of teaching based on diversity and the improvement of learning. With the insertion of project-based learning, students were directed to the leading role in the construction of their learning, declaring them active agents in the Teaching-Learning Process (PEA, for its Spanish equivalent) of the Research methodology subject. As a result, they were encouraged to learn how to face their future professional life. The level of satisfaction of the students with the use of project-based learning in the Research Methodology subject, as a way of stimulating study habits, was satisfactory.