On the difficulties, possibilities and challenges of problem-based work

Abstract

The idea of working on problems is constantly present in debates on teaching, especially dealing with social and environmental issues. In fact, teaching oriented towards working on problems, or on dilemmatic or controversial issues, has been presented to us throughout the history of education in different ways, most of the time emphasizing teaching methodology, others in the presentation of content, others as a research project, or as a didactic model in its globality. In any of these variants, the idea of a problem to be addressed and a certain path to follow (method) to develop this task is present. And this is the core of the article, beyond the specificities of the aforementioned modalities. In this sense, difficulties and possibilities (which are also challenges) of putting this model into practice are analyzed, as the best option for citizenship education in the face of the serious problems of our world.