Active Methodologies in Chemistry†

Abstract

Cooperative learning is not easy to develop when we encounter large classes of approximately 70 students. This handicap is increased when the subject is taught in the first year and the first semester. This is the case of the subject of Chemistry 1 of the Degree in Agricultural Engineering, the student comes to the University without having worked in a group, with little knowledge of the subject and attending classes at random. To diminish these negative effects, the informal cooperative learning methodology has been used both in the classroom and through the Blackboard Learn platform. At the same time the student has self-evaluations on the Blackboard Learn platform, which must be done before going to class and before going to the laboratory. Summaring, in order to increase student participation and daily work, a series of methodologies that have been implemented throughout the academic courses are proposed: (1) in the classroom, participatory master class and informal cooperative learning, (2) in the laboratory, laboratory experiences, cooperative learning and (3) On the Blackboard platform, informal cooperative learning, self-evaluations and portfolios of laboratory experiences and self-evaluations of theoretical topics. The final purpose is flipped classroom, to work before, during and after the class.