Active and cooperative learning experiment in Electricity and Magnetism for freshmen of Industrial Technical Electronic Engineering

ABSTRACT

An innovative learning experiment was carried out in the subject "Electricity and Magnetism" for freshmen of Industrial Technical Electronic Engineering during the first term of course 2006-2007. The learning approach is based on the experience gained in the same subject during the second term of course 2005-2006, when a similar procedure was accomplished.

The experiment consists of comparing the student performance on a subject with different learning methodologies. The subject is taught in tree separate groups. In the reference group, the same approach than previous years is employed (theory and problem reading based on ex-cathedra teaching). The other two groups undergo a new educational methodology based on active and cooperative learning.

The number of students that have passed the term is twice in the active learning group than in the reference group. Notwithstanding the overall results, the marks of the compulsory term exam performed in the tree classes are similar. Thus, further experimentation and tests are required to establish the possible advantages of each learning approach applied to freshmen of industrial technical engineering.

Key words:

active learning, cooperative learning, comparing teaching and learning methodologies

Active and cooperative learning experiment in Electricity and Magnetism for freshmen of Industrial Technical Electronic Engineering "Experimento de aprendizaje activo y cooperativo en un curso básico de electromagnetismo para ingenieros técnicos" , Mur J., Artal J.S., Usón A. and Letosa J. XV Congreso Universitario de Innovación Educativa en las Ensenanzas Técnicas. Escuela Universitaria Politécnica de Valladolid, 18, 19, 20 de julio, 2007