Evaluation of Dialogical Learning in Higher Education: Psychometric Validation of a Questionnaire

Abstract

Higher Education must assume the commitment to provide quality education, as proposed by the UN in the 2030 Agenda. In this sense, dialogic learning stands out as a methodological strategy that promotes participation, communication and autonomous learning. This work aims to describe the design and validation process of an instrument that analyzes the university student's assessment of educational experiences based on dialogic learning. Taking the principles of dialogic learning as a reference for the design of the instrument, its content validity has been ensured by a panel of experts (n=9) through the Delphi method and the application of a pilot test to students of the Degree in Primary Education at the University of Jaén (n=132). For construct validity, the univariate normality of each of the items has been verified, as well as the application of the exploratory factor analysis model based on principal components and Varimax rotation and Pearson correlation analysis. Reliability analysis uses Cronbach's alpha coefficient and the two-half method. Results show an instrument with high reliability rates and positive internal consistency; it is made up of four factors, which are: contributions to learning, dialogue and communication skills, diversity and social inclusion, and dialogic reflection. It is a psychometrically robust tool, being an appropriate and necessary instrument to evaluate the impact of dialogic learning on university students, responding to some of the recommendations proposed by the United Nations to advance towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.