Design of “Educational Breakout” for the development of critical reading skills in students of a single-teacher school in Ecuador

Abstract

The article examines the growing importance of developing critical reading skills and competencies through relevant methods and techniques, highlighting the shortcomings of traditional teaching. A comparison is established between the conventional teaching of critical reading and the implementation of active methodologies, presenting new challenges in the development of these skills. In this context, the design of the Educational Breakout is proposed as an effective strategy to promote critical thinking and collaboration among students. The advantages and disadvantages of its application in single-teacher educational environments are analyzed, highlighting the need to adapt to changes in society and to promote more active and meaningful learning. The research evaluates the effectiveness of the Educational Breakout in the development of critical reading skills in students of a single-teacher school in Ríos Quinsaloma, Ecuador. The activity was organized in three phases: introduction, where an initial questionnaire was administered; development, which included thematic challenges in collaborative groups; and closing, which included a final questionnaire to measure the progress made. The results showed significant improvements in reading habits and critical skills, reflected in an increase in reading practice outside the classroom and in the ability to identify main ideas, evaluate the validity of information and make inferences.