Abstract:

The guidelines set by the European Union relating to university education represent a practical approach to many of the subjects whose high theoretical content is difficult to assimilate by high percentage of students. Also, communications among computers, each time faster and more reliable, and its widespread use, especially in the university community, offer new possibilities in teaching and in self-learning.

In this paper we propose a model of virtual classroom based in the subject of Business Economics, belonging to the first year of Technical Engineer in Computer Science degree. This one highlights the importance of computers in the teaching-learning process thanks to two key aspects: on the one hand, its operational strength with possibility to generate random numbers and therefore to implement processes of simulation and, on the other hand, its graphics capabilities that allow to display numerous concepts that would be more difficult to understand. This methodology represents a huge advance related to traditional virtual teaching methodologies and, therefore, possible to be used by any other subject.

The virtual classroom proposes an individual learning pathway and sequence showing the theoretical content of each of the key aspects of the subject proposing some exercises and self-assessment test used by the students to check the level reached. In the presentation of concepts it is provided some simulation tools of economic processes in the form of a Java applet and a Web application simulation for business creation. As additional elements, work in virtual group is enhanced. To do this, it is proposed to carry out some works in group making available to the students the necessary tools, such as the use of chat rooms or discussion forums.

In summary, the methodology presented corresponds to the integration of the tools developed and experience learned during two academic years in the European Higher Education Area and that has culminated in the development of a teaching program that enables the design of routes and the measurement of progress, in addition to the analysis of group work over the network and discussion forums.

Keywords:

business economics, virtual lecture room, computational simulations, simulation in.