Designing an AI-Supported Intercultural Educational Methodology for Native Maize Communities in Oaxaca

Abstract

Indigenous rural communities preserve valuable biocultural knowledge associated with native maize conservation, agroecological practices, traditional gastronomy, cultural heritage, and community-based tourism. However, educational initiatives frequently address these dimensions separately, limiting their contribution to sustainable territorial development and knowledge transmission. This study presents the design of an Artificial Intelligence-supported intercultural educational methodology developed during Phase 1 of Project IH-2025-G-308 in indigenous communities of Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca, Mexico. The methodology was constructed through participatory action research and interdisciplinary process involving researchers, educators, agricultural specialists, and community stakeholders. Four interconnected educational dimensions were identified to structure the learning framework: environmental, agroecological, cultural, and economic. Based on these dimensions, four complementary diagnostic instruments were developed, including a semi-structured interview guide, a community observation protocol, a 20-item Likert-scale questionnaire, and a community participation registry. The resulting framework was organized into five learning subsystems: natural resource conservation, native maize and agroecological practices, cultural heritage and traditional knowledge, community-based tourism and regional entrepreneurship, and Artificial Intelligence-supported educational innovation. The methodology incorporates cross-sectional and longitudinal assessment strategies and establishes a structured pathway for transforming community knowledge into illustrated educational materials, bilingual audiovisual resources, training activities, and culturally adapted learning experiences. The proposed framework contributes to a human-centered and replicable methodology that integrates regional knowledge systems, participatory action research, intercultural education, and Artificial Intelligence to support biocultural heritage conservation, community learning, and sustainable rural development.

Keywords: Education And Pedagogical Innovation, Sustainable Development And Circular Economy, Artificial Intelligence In Education

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1008003