Abstract:

INTRODUCTION
With the aim of introducing the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) into teaching at the University of Alicante to improve the quality of the teaching/learning process, the Pro-Vice-Chancellorship of Educational Technology and Innovation is carrying out a three-year pilot project to teach subjects using a blend of on-line and in-class teaching (b-learning), using the university’s technology platform to provide training and technical support for distance learning. This will be extremely useful in the future for adapting subjects to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).

This paper describes the experience gained in the “Psychopaths and Mass Murderers” subject on the University of Alicante Criminology degree course, which has participated in this project since 2007-08.

OBJECTIVE
The aim was for students to acquire the basics of responsible learning by developing skills, abilities and competence in the “Psychopaths and Mass Murderers” subject, by applying a teaching method based on b-learning and problem-based learning.

METHODOLOGY
The design, development and implementation of the “Psychopaths and Mass Murderers” subject delivered using b-learning include various tasks, involving both in-class and virtual teaching/learning.

The University of Alicante’s Virtual Campus technology platform was the main tool used to develop this methodology, with the aim of providing guidance and a suitable response to existing needs.

In the theory part of the subject, in-class teaching was combined with online activities, which meant that part of the theory subject matter was adapted to a virtual environment. The teaching staff guide students in the subject matter using both in-class teaching and virtual sessions using the university’s Virtual Campus, indicating the activities for each subject block.

Subject practicals are carried out in class, with the aim of students undertaking activities to gain a better understanding of the concepts, models, techniques, instruments and strategies involved.

The subject offers a variety of resources to help students study and learn.

 Teaching staff’s e-mail addresses.
 Face-to face tutorial.
 Use of the university’s various Virtual Campus tools:
- Online tutorials.
- Forums, debates.
- Glossary.
- Reading and comments on texts.
- Information and web links.

RESULTS
After the first year, the results from this initiative can be summarised as greater student participation in the various tasks proposed, particularly from those students who for various reasons (such as work and family) have less time to attend classes. At the end of the project, and having evaluated and reflected on the experience, we were able to determine the degree of satisfaction of students using the b-learning method.

This research project was subsidised by the Pro-Vice-Chancellorship of Educational Technology and Innovation 2007 pilot project for teaching subjects using the blended learning model.

Keywords:

blended learning, internet based technologies (blogs, wikis, etc), education practice trends and.