Theory and practice in technical education in Administrative Management: A critical-propositional approach

Abstract

His research analyzed the connection between theoretical content and its practical application in the technical training of Administrative Management at the "El Pano" Intercultural Bilingual Community Educational Unit, given the growing demands of the labor market and the persistent theory-practice gap. A mixed-methods approach with a descriptive and exploratory design was used, combining student surveys, semi-structured interviews with teachers, and syllabus analysis to assess curricular coherence, the quality of learning experiences, and the degree of connection with the productive sector. The results revealed a limited integration of practical experiences, a weak connection between pre-professional practices and academic content, and an unsystematic use of active learning methodologies, despite the teachers' recognition of the importance of practice in technical training. Institutional barriers were also identified, including rigid curricula, insufficient resources, and low participation of the productive sector in the design and development of training activities. Based on these findings, a curriculum redesign was proposed with a more contextualized and practical approach, along with strengthening ties with the local productive sector, providing ongoing professional development for faculty in active learning methodologies, and improving institutional conditions for implementing authentic learning experiences. These actions aimed to increase the relevance of technical training in Administrative Management and better prepare students to face real-world work challenges in diverse contexts.