Participatory Methods
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Participatory EvaluationParticipatory LearningParticipatory Planning

Learning puzzle

Learning puzzle
Duration
From 60 to 120 minutes, depending on the complexity of the topic and the group size.
Participants
From 6 to 20 people, to ensure meaningful interactions and sufficient time for each presentation.
Areas of application
Educación y formaciónDesarrollo comunitarioGestión organizacional y empresarialPlanificación urbana y ruralSalud y bienestar socialArte, cultura y creatividadSostenibilidad y medio ambienteInnovación y diseñoResolución de conflictosTecnología y entornos digitalesParticipación ciudadana y social
Participation level
ColaboraciónEmpoderamientoGeneración de conocimientoIntercambio de perspectivas
Target audience
EstudiantesLíderes comunitariosONGs y colectivos socialesEquipos empresarialesFuncionarios públicos
The Learning puzzle is a participatory activity where each participant or group learns a specific part of a topic and then teaches it to the rest of the group. This approach fosters collaborative learning, knowledge exchange, and collective understanding of a complex topic.

Preparation

  1. Select the topic: Divide the main topic into manageable subtopics or sections.
    • Example: If the topic is "Sustainability," the subtopics could be:
      • Renewable energy.
      • Waste reduction.
      • Water conservation.
      • Sustainability policies.
  2. Prepare resources: Provide relevant materials for each subtopic (readings, videos, charts, guiding questions).
  3. Form groups: Divide participants into small teams and assign one subtopic to each group.
    • Alternative: For smaller groups, assign one subtopic to each individual.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Introduce the purpose
    • Explain the goal of the Learning Puzzle: for each participant to become an expert on their subtopic and share their knowledge with others.
    • Emphasize the importance of each participant's role in the group's collective learning.
  2. Individual or group study
    • Allow time for each team or individual to study their subtopic using the provided resources.
    • Encourage participants to take notes and think about how they will present their part to the rest of the group.
  3. Preparation to teach
    • Help teams structure their presentation or activity to teach their subtopic.
    • They can use tools like mind maps, charts, or practical examples.
  4. Share knowledge
    • Each team or individual teaches their subtopic to the rest of the group in a clear and concise way.
    • Encourage questions and discussions after each presentation to ensure understanding.
  5. Connection and synthesis
    • After all subtopics have been presented, reflect with the group on how they are interconnected.
    • You can use visual tools like a collective concept map to organize ideas.
  6. Closing and evaluation
    • Summarize the key learnings and benefits of the collaborative approach.
    • Invite participants to reflect on how they felt teaching and learning from the group.

Purpose

The purpose of the Learning puzzle is to facilitate collective learning by involving participants as co-creators of knowledge. This activity enhances individual understanding through teaching, fosters teamwork, and encourages the exchange of ideas.

Required materials

  • Topic-specific resources (readings, videos, charts).
  • Large paper and markers.
  • Projector.

Platforms

Practical recommendations

  • Balance in subtopics: Ensure all subtopics are equally important and accessible.
  • Active facilitation: Support teams or individuals as they prepare their explanations to address any questions.
  • Presentation time: Allocate a maximum time for each presentation to maintain the activity's flow.
  • Documentation: Take notes or record the presentations for future reference.