Abstract:

This paper presents an experience of blended learning and collaboration in higher education. Although the main objective of this experience was to deepen some mathematical concepts, we also tried that students developed other skills related with team working, communication and the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The study was realized through the teaching of Mathematics to first year students on a Business Degree at the Business School of the University of Basque Country in San Sebastian (Spain). The students were divided into teams and each team was set a collaborative writing task as a course objective. Unlike previous and other tasks, the students were asked to conduct their work on-line, using a discussion forum as a means of communication amongst themselves and with the teacher. Simultaneously, the students had to attend face-to-face sessions in which the theoretical aspects were explained by the teacher. Previous to the beginning of the work we asked the students to fill a questionnaire in order to know some details about their habits and level of the use of ICTs. Preliminary findings with regard to the success of the on-line methodology are positive with the use of ICTs, cited by the majority of students as being motivational. There is also, however, some evidence of a rejection of the methodology deployed by a percentage of students involved. In relation with the writing capacity, in most cases the need to collaborate with the other individuals of the team has increased the final quality of the texts.

Keywords:

B-learning, collaborative learning, higher education.