Abstract

REYES, Encarnación  and  GALVEZ, Jaime C. Teaching Experiences in Educational Innovation to Improve Traditional Teaching of Construction and Building Materials. Form. Univ. [online]. 2010, vol.3, n.4, pp. 13-24. ISSN 0718-5006.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-50062010000400003.

This paper presents the results of a teaching experience in the subject Construction and Building Materials after incorporating active methodologies as suggested by the European Higher Education Área (EHEA). From the academic year 2006-07 traditional teaching methods were improved, based on the use of cooperative learning, continuous assessment and new technologies. In the last three courses there has been a marked increase in the number of students passing the course, 32% increase over students enrolled in the subject, in comparison with previous academic years. Based on these results it can be concluded that the use of active teaching techniques to complement traditional teaching improves learning of students and enhance student's motivation. However, the use of these techniques requires greater dedication of teachers and greater involvement of students in their learning process.

Keywords : construction and building materials; cooperative learning; new technologies; teaching methodology.