Abstract:

An educational innovation, known as Global Shared Learning Classroom (GSLC), was carried out through collaboration between Tecnologico de Monterrey and the University of Bio Bio, Chile during Spring 2023. The primary objective of this collaboration was to enrich GSLC experiences by developing skills and competencies in the participants. The focus areas encompassed effective intercultural communication, leveraging educational technologies, planning and designing international collaborations, active learning strategies in an international context, ethical engagement in a global environment, and fostering social intelligence. The participants from Tecnologico de Monterrey pursued a course on Bioprocess Prospecting within their Biotechnology Engineering program, while the students from the University of Bio Bio pursued a course on Chemical Reactor Design within their Chemical Engineering program. Together, they worked on the problem situation of designing and utilizing a bioreactor to produce bioplastics with the goal of reducing dependence on conventional petroleum-derived plastics and minimizing the environmental impact of plastic production. This initiative promoted sustainability and contributed to the achievement of sustainable development goals. The collaboration between Tecnologico de Monterrey and the University of Bio Bio involved three blocks of activities: an ice-breaking activity, a collaborative problem-solving activity centered around the given problem situation, and a reflective activity to consolidate the gained insights. The students in the Biotechnology program focused on the selection of microorganisms responsible for producing bioplastics and determining the requirements for ensuring controlled kinetic growth. Meanwhile, the students in the Chemical Engineering program took charge of designing the type of bioreactor. This teamwork allowed each group member to fulfill a specific role and gain insight into how different disciplines contribute to solving a problem-based situation. Collaboration involved recognizing and identifying agreements and interactions among diverse groups, emphasizing communication that considered differences and abilities of all individuals. The MUSIC® Model of Academic Motivation Inventory (MUSIC Inventory), a questionnaire assessing students' perceptions of the five components of the motivational climate in a course or activity, was utilized during this project. Instructors and researchers can utilize this inventory free of charge to evaluate the motivational climate. This educational innovation highlights the successful implementation of the GSLC initiative, emphasizing the development of essential skills, knowledge, and international cooperation in the context of new challenges in education.

Keywords:

Global Shared Learning Classroom, Model of Academic Motivation Inventory, international cooperation, biorreactors.