- The method is based on theory developed in the United States by David Ausubel and Joseph D. Novak—the creator of concept maps—and has been put into practice and promoted internationally by Ballester
- The research began in 1991 at a primary school in the Galatzó neighborhood of Calvià and continued for six years at the Institute of Educational Sciences at the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB)
- Teachers, schools, and families can consult materials and resources, as well as access print books, at www.aprendizajesignificativo.com
Antoni Ballester, a teacher and researcher from Calvià, has championed the need to reinforce meaningful learning, reading from print materials, and writing, coinciding with this week's publication of the PISA 2025 report. This program assesses young people from over 80 countries, analyzing the knowledge of 15-year-old students and their ability to apply it to real-life situations in science, reading, mathematics, and computational problem-solving.
In the Balearic Islands, PISA 2025 results fall below the Spanish average across the three main competency areas. Students in the islands scored 441 points in reading, compared to 451 for Spain overall; 449 points in mathematics, versus the national average of 457; ...and 471 points in science, compared to Spain's 477.
The previous report, PISA 2022, placed the Balearic Islands at 472 points in reading comprehension, versus 474 for Spain and an average of 476 for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
In light of these results, Ballester considers it a priority to foster reading and writing skills from the earliest stages of education, particularly by encouraging the composition of free-form texts and avoiding schoolwork that is constrained by rigid models or overly prescriptive instructions.
"The fact that the 2026 results showed no improvement confirms that isolated changes are not enough; it is necessary to strengthen reading comprehension, writing, and—especially—free-form writing starting at age three. Students must connect new concepts with what they already know, understand them, and apply them in real-world situations. Open-ended work, concept maps, creativity, and motivation pave the way for more solid and lasting learning," stated Ballester.
Meaningful learning is based on the theory formulated by David Ausubel and further developed and disseminated by the American professor Joseph D. Novak of Cornell University. Novak also created concept maps, a tool that allows new material to be linked to prior knowledge and enables the construction of coherent networks of concepts. The goal is for students to understand, connect, and internalize what they learn, rather than simply memorizing information through repetition.
Antoni Ballester has put this theoretical framework into practice through the "Ballester Method," which involves activities that are not bound by a single outcome or rigid instructions, even while maintaining teacher guidance. This approach allows each student to progress according to their own abilities, make decisions, and take an active role in their learning.
Research initiated in Calvià
The origins of this work date back to 1991, when Ballester began his doctoral thesis and started researching the method's application in two classrooms at a primary school in the Galatzó residential area of Calvià. The initiative was progressively expanded to include a group of teachers across various subjects and educational levels, led by Ballester himself.
The research benefited from the guidance and contributions of specialists associated with Joseph D. Novak in the United States, as well as the Autonomous University of Barcelona, the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), and the Public University of Navarre. The project was carried out over six years within the Meaningful Learning Seminar at the UIB’s Institute of Educational Sciences.
This experience made it possible to translate theory into the day-to-day reality of the classroom and to demonstrate the importance of linking new material to what students already know. The method can be applied across all subjects and educational levels, starting from age three.
Diverse resources connected to the local environment
Ballester maintains that educational resources should be varied to enrich the learning process. In addition to standard classroom materials, he advocates for utilizing the area surrounding the school, conducting activities at various locations within the municipality, and incorporating media outlets and multimedia resources.
Open-ended work fosters autonomy, while concept maps help organize information, identify relationships between ideas, and verify comprehension of the material. This combination boosts creativity and motivation, accommodates varying learning paces, and helps improve the classroom atmosphere.
According to data provided by Ballester regarding the initiative implemented by the Government of the Canary Islands, the method was adopted by over a hundred schools and reached more than a thousand students. Documented results showed pass rates between 95% and 97%, as well as a significant reduction in behavioral issues. The author has also documented the method's implementation in the Balearic Islands, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Bolivia, Argentina, and China.
Training, outreach, and consulting
Ballester currently teaches in the Teacher Training Master’s programme at the University of Málaga (training school counselors) and at the University of Valencia (in a course for university faculty), while also collaborating with professors at the Public University of Navarre.
His outreach work includes a series of 40 radio programmes on Ràdio Calvià featuring interviews with experts in education and learning. He also makes educational materials, testimonials, videos, and accounts from teachers who have used the method available on YouTube and major social media platforms, alongside contributions from students and educators who have participated in its development over the years.
The researcher offers consulting services to teachers, schools, and families interested in learning about or implementing this methodology. Information about the book detailing the Ballester method and other downloadable resources can be found at www.aprendizajesignificativo.com, a site that also compiles practical experiences and testimonials regarding its implementation.
