RURAL BLENDED EDUCATION. BLENDED EDUCATIONAL PROJECT TO REDUCE DEPOPULATION IN RURAL AREAS

The aim of this article is to present an innovation project called "Rural Blended Education" that demonstrates that depopulation in a given geographical area can be reduced by applying a new educational paradigm in a School of Early Childhood and Primary Education. The study starts with an analysis of the the causes and consequences of depopulation and the actions taken to slow down this trend. Then, we formulate a working hypothesis that attempts to consider if depopulation can be stopped by improving the channels in the teaching-learning process of these areas. The study is implemented as an intervention project design carried out in the villages scattered across the Utiel-Requena area (Valencia). A key aspect of this innovation project is to train teachers in their digital competence first, and then create a series of cooperative tools with which parents can co-educate their children. In the same way, the timing of the project and the main lines of work are established, the requirements to participate in the program are set out, an economic report is made and a series of indicators are presented to determine if the system has been viable or not. Finally, conclusions are drawn, together with the most important limitations and recommendations to consider in subsequent academic courses.