Abstract:

Located in the heart of Madrid’s historic and cultural center, SEK International School Santa Isabel has implemented an innovative place-based learning model through "Learning Paths," using the city itself as a pedagogical resource. In the 2021-2022 school year, amid growing concerns about post-pandemic well-being, the school faced the challenge of promoting meaningful learning in a dense urban environment. The solution was to foster a culture where educators, learners, and families could reimagine the school experience and engage with the local community.

"Learning Paths" emerged from a collaborative effort among educators, families, and students, mapping local resources and integrating them into the curriculum. These learning paths connect experiences to units of inquiry, using the city to reinforce skills and competencies. The learning community designed the "SEK Campus Madrid" map to guide both educators and students in planning their learning journeys, incorporating these real-world experiences into learning secuences and curriculum.

By extending the campus to include all of central Madrid, "Learning Paths" offer urban outdoor learning and experiential learning. Key community spaces—museums, markets, parks, and galleries—serve as essential pedagogical tools.

Emerging research highlights how this model boosts student motivation and agency, with an emphasis on well-being. Students actively engage by researching, choosing locations, and sharing their learning, fostering autonomy and a deeper connection with their environment and local community.

The "Learning Paths" blend formal and informal learning experiences, encouraging students to develop competencies while connecting with the people and places around them. Assessment follows principles of formative feedback and continuous evaluation.

In the 2022-2023 school year, Daniel Wilson, Director of Project Zero at Harvard University, recognized this pedagogical approach as a best practice and established a collaboration with SEK International Schools and the University Camilo José Cela’s Faculty of Education through the "Learning Outside-In" project, aimed at measuring the impact on student well-being.

Keywords:

Innovation, education, leadership, pedagogy, urban outdoor learning, place-based Learning.