Abstract:

Today's higher education system faces enormous challenges. Students in general have very particular characteristics that make the teaching-learning process very difficult, such as being very dependent on technology, lacking motivation for expositive teaching, and lacking attention for various reasons and for certain periods. Additionally, the teacher needs to develop the student's skills for the future profession, and at the same time teacher needs to adapt the content of the course to professional practice also. In this context, the following question arises: How can teachers engage and attract students' interest and motivation for learning in the classroom in higher education at the same time that articulates both content and skills to the profession?

To engage and motivate the students´ participation in the learning process, several active learning strategies using digital technology were introduced in the Organizational Communication course, with the students of Multimedia Bachelor at Bragança Polytechnic University. The students used free online tools such as Mentimeter, Jamboard and Google Slides. They also used computers and mobile phones. The active learning activities were accomplished individually and collaboratively during short and long periods of time. It also used interactive video.

The result of this pedagogical activity was very interesting. Students were very motivated and committed by the learning process in the different moments of the class. All students participated individually and collaboratively in groups of three or four students. The activities were controlled by a timer. At first, the students didn't feel very comfortable with the time required to complete the activity, but at the end of the activity, they realized that this way they were able to complete the activity within the classroom period and that it reflects learning in a professional environment. Some important workplace skills were developed, such as critical thinking and problem-solving, teamwork, oral and written communication, listening, and observing.

Keywords:

Active Learning, Digital tools, Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving, Teamwork, Oral and Written Communication, Listening, Observing.