Abstract Book of the 9th International Conference on Innovative Research in Education
Year: 2026
[PDF]
Blended Learning in Motion: Developing Digital Skills Along the Camino de Santiago
Jorge García, Helena Sofia Rodrigues, Rubén Navarro-Patón, Vitor Braga, Wellington Alves
ABSTRACT:
Designed as a blended learning pathway, the PEGADAS project invites young people aged 18 to 29 from Galicia and Portugal to alternate between online training and applied tasks carried out along the Camino de Santiago. In the online phase, participants follow short courses on digitalization, entrepreneurship, sustainability and critical thinking, where they learn to use collaborative platforms, create and edit multimedia content, organize information in digital environments and communicate effectively with digital tools. These courses provide a structured space to experiment with technologies, clarify concepts and rehearse tasks before they are carried out in real contexts. During a five-day walking programme on selected sections of the Camino in Portugal and Spain, participants work in small groups to apply the digital competences acquired online: they use mobile devices and apps to collect data, document local realities, design small entrepreneurial proposals and produce outputs such as videos and digital stories. This combination of online learning and fieldwork helps them understand how digital tools can support problem-solving, communication and creativity in rural and cross-border settings. Evidence from the first editions points to greater confidence in using digital technologies, a more active attitude towards learning and work, and a clearer perception of how digital competences can contribute to youth employability.
Keywords: Blended Learning, Online Learning, Digital Training, Experiential Learning, Cross-Border Education