Revista Multidisciplinaria Perspectivas Investigativas
Multidisciplinary Journal Investigative Perspectives
Vol. 4(1), 77-87, 2024
QUIMIOKIT– Laboratorio de Química Portátil como estrategia de aprendizaje en modalidad hibrida
QUIMIOKIT- Portable Chemistry Laboratory as a learning strategy in hybrid mode
Darío Olivio Del-Valle-Calderón
Lorena Del Rocío Jiménez-Alonzo
INTRODUCTION
Chemistry teaching faces a number of challenges, including the availability of equipped
laboratories, the logistics of transporting materials and adapting to emerging educational
modalities. In this context, there is a need to develop innovative strategies to overcome these
barriers and provide meaningful learning experiences for students.
Above all, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced a period of social isolation and the educational
system in Ecuador was forced to resume classes online, there was an urgent need to teach the
subject of chemistry in this way, generating conflicts among students, as indicated by (Aguirre &
Selampinar, 2020), and a possible solution to overcome the crisis generated was the creation of
virtual laboratories and experimental practices in relation to chemistry. It is in this process of
solving the pedagogical crisis and contributing to the generation of meaningful learning in students
that the idea of creating a kit for teaching chemistry arises, which not only satisfies the
programmatic needs of the subject, but also really contributes to keeping the student active
throughout the school year, that is, to practice as if they were in the institution's laboratory.
For this it was necessary to design the QUIMIOKIT, a portable chemistry laboratory designed to
facilitate practical learning in hybrid educational modalities (face-to-face - virtual), based on 20
years of teaching experience in the teaching of chemistry, from this pedagogical expertise a deep
understanding of the needs and challenges faced by high school students was generated,
especially in times of pandemic with the intention of promoting the generation of knowledge in
line with the educational quality necessary to transcend as a society.
Therefore, the QUIMIOKIT emerged as an innovative response to the educational problems
generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The design of the QUIMIOKIT is based on a student-
centred pedagogical approach that promotes active learning and participation through practical
experiments, supported by the teaching guide generated in the instructions for each subject, as
well as visual material (videos), which contribute to the pedagogical accompaniment of the
student, making it possible to practice chemistry at home. Based on the experience of the teacher
who created the QUIMIOKIT, the contents of each grade of high school in Ecuador were adapted
to the implementation of active teaching methodologies, reflecting the careful selection of
experiments and activities included in the QUIMIOKIT, designed to address the key concepts of
the high school chemistry curriculum, while encouraging the development of scientific skills and
critical thinking in students.
Therefore, as a valuable curricular resource, the adaptation of the QUIMIOKIT to the specific
needs of the hybrid educational modality stands out, being a pedagogical product designed to
innovate and respond flexibly to emerging educational challenges. The combination of physical
and digital resources in the QUIMIOKIT allows students to participate in practical experiences
both in the classroom and in virtual environments, ensuring the continuity of learning in any
circumstance, basing this perspective on the methodology of problem-based learning, as it
focuses learning on the student (Morales-Chávez & Cuellar-García, 2023).
Due to the above, this article presents the QUIMIOKIT, a portable chemistry laboratory designed
to facilitate practical learning in the teaching and learning of chemistry in the unified
baccalaureate, especially in hybrid educational environments resulting from the emergence of
COVID-19. The hybrid modality combines elements of face-to-face and virtual teaching, offering
flexibility and adaptability to diverse educational circumstances (Ariel-Viera, 2022). The
QUIMIOKIT seeks to address the challenges of access to laboratory infrastructure and promote
active and participatory learning, encouraging experimentation as well as problem solving in a
hands-on environment.
Therefore, the QUIMIOKIT is presented as an integral solution that integrates instruments,
reagents and materials in a portable format, facilitating the performance of experiments in any
educational environment. The QUIMIOKIT consists of a selection of compact and safe laboratory
instruments, as well as chemical reagents in a presentation adapted for transport and storage.
These elements are accompanied by detailed experimental guides that guide the student in
carrying out laboratory practices, including digital resources such as explanatory