Abstract:

This project aimed to promote student learning through the development of creative dissemination dynamics related to basic subjects taught in the Degree in Optics and Optometry. We proposed that our second course university students explained to primary education students basic concepts of Physiological Optics, Optometry and Ophthalmic Optics. The key point was that the explained concepts had to be clear and correct from a scientific point of view, but presented in a simple and creative way to facilitate the understanding and ensure the attention of the young audience.

Our students had first to make a critical judgment about all available information on the chosen subject, and understand it in depth, so that they would be able to present it in simple terms, avoiding technical language, and eliminating any mathematical complexity to keep the attention of the target audience. As a result, our students developed their creativity by using innovative dynamics, such as video performances, visual thinking approaches, comic speeches, role-plays, etc. The idea was to move away from a classical teaching based on blackboard lessons or slide presentations. Third course university students and teachers helped as mentors, giving advice on the best way to approach each activity to achieve maximum student involvement.

At the end of the semester, an exhibition was planned to expose to primary education students the proposed dissemination activities. Best proposals, selected by the young audience, won special awards to reward the initiative and involvement of our university students. We believe that these creative dissemination activities have become a good learning tool for our students, and we have tested once again that a good learning strategy is "learning by teaching". This learning could be useful on a day-to-day basis when patients or companions have to be informed about clinical results, or when scientific results have to be communicated to a non-specialized audience. Besides, we conclude that our students have become aware of the importance of scientific dissemination in a simple and enjoyable way to make it attractive for the target audience.

Acknowledgement:
This project was granted by the Innovation Projects Call from the Vicerrectorado de Ocupación y Programas Formativos, University of Valencia, under grant number UV-SFPIE_PID19-1098140.

Keywords:

Collaborative learning, creative dissemination, experimental learning.