‘These are Our Beans’: Learning by Doing, Innovation and Resilience in Old Havana's Escuela Taller

Escuela Taller ‘Gaspar de Melchor de Jovellanos’ in Old Havana demonstrates how innovation and resilience can overcome resource constraints in cultural heritage restoration education. A qualitative study of 18 students and graduates revealed that the 'Aprender Haciendo' pedagogy—combining theory with hands-on practice—fosters adaptability and problem-solving skills. Participants described creative solutions to material shortages and cost barriers, highlighting the program's effectiveness as a community-based learning model. This approach not only preserves heritage but also empowers participants through practical, experiential learning.

Gilblom, E. A. (2019). ‘These are Our Beans’: Learning by Doing, Innovation and Resilience in Old Havana’s Escuela Taller. International Journal of Cuban Studies, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.13169/intejcubastud.11.2.0247