Abstract:

Spanish universities are currently facing the challenge of joining the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). The University of Malaga has undertaken the development of pilot experiences in order to adapt certain degree programmes to the new framework, one of these being the Degree in Psychology. Since 2005 an innovative pilot experience has sought to bring the course on Experimental Methodology in the Behavioural Sciences into line with EHEA guidelines. This course is based on a model of self-regulated learning, which is regarded as the model most consistent with the lifelong learning scenario proposed by the Bologna Declaration in 1999. The recent implementation of the EHEA raises the need to assess this pilot experience. The purpose of the present study was to analyse students’ achievement gains in the Experimental Methodology in the Behavioural Sciences course, specifically over the four years since it began to be adapted to EHEA guidelines. The curricular design is structured as follows: 30% of the timetable for lectures, including conferences and seminars, and 70% for individual work, with some assessed activities. As the final grade is based on the sum of several marks obtained in exams and other activities, a continuous assessment approach was adopted. The analysis of this experience revealed an increase in student attendance, in the number of students who passed the course, and in their marks compared to other students who were not following the EHEA curricular design.

Keywords:

European Higher Education Area, Curricular Design, Assessment, Achievement.