ESPAI OBERT. Mustidisciplinary cooperative learning experience

Abstract

[EN] ESPAI OBERT is a pilot experiment to improve team-based collaborative learning that aims to promote transversal knowledge through developing skills and attitudes for effective performance of functions in work environments. To achieve this objective, the participants of the simulated work experience are organized into work teams and must respond to a challenge in the form of an open and contextualized problem, which requires learning and a functional use of knowledge. The challenge is to propose an artistic space in an uncultivated field of the Valencian Orchard (This project is part of the framework of the Cooperation and Development Project [P]Horta Oberta. Meeting place of participation for sustainable alternatives, selected by the Programme of activities of solidarity and social participation (GLOCAL 2020) of the Universitat Politècnica de València. Specifically, the activity is motivated by the participation of the proposals in the ideas competition Espai Obert. Sustainable ephemeral spaces, which aims to encourage creativity in the context of the ephemeral from an artistic perspective. The six-week experience is tested on a small group of students coming from the Higher Technical School of Architecture and the Faculty of Fine Arts. These students are either enrolled in the subject of Architectural Composition, 4th Degree in Fundamentals of Architecture or Project Methodology, 3rd Degree Fine Arts. The participating collective are structured into multidisciplinary teams. The methodology used for this experiment is Direct Instruction, a common practice based on two learning approaches: Experiential Learning and Inquiry Learning and the Project-Based Learning Method. Techniques such as the Whirlwind of Ideas will be used in the initial phase, while Structured Debate will be used in the final phase. Cooperative learning will be tested throughout the process using techniques such as Spontaneous Mentoring. In consideration of this six-week experience, the results, which are expected to motivate the repetition of the action and/or its improvement, are: 1. An improvement of teamwork skills, 2. Easy acquisition of flexible and contextualized knowledge, 3. Promotion of critical thinking and self-regulation skills, 4. Encouragement of positive interdependence between students and 5. An improvement of motivation to learn.