DIGITAL LIBRARY
EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT FACTORS AFFECTING THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF THE STUDENTS
1 Escuela Universitaria de Ingeniería Técnica de Minas y de Obras Públicas. UPV/EHU (SPAIN)
2 Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería. UPV/EHU (SPAIN)
About this paper:
Appears in: INTED2010 Proceedings
Publication year: 2010
Pages: 234-241
ISBN: 978-84-613-5538-9
ISSN: 2340-1079
Conference name: 4th International Technology, Education and Development Conference
Dates: 8-10 March, 2010
Location: Valencia, Spain
Abstract:
In this work, the results of a study carried out with the student body of the subject Theory of Structures of the Technical Civil Engineering degree, major in Civil Construction (EUITMOP-UPV/EHU) are shown. This subject is taught in the second course and it consists of six weekly hours during one semester. The teaching strategies used during three academic years are described together with the results obtained by the students. Additionally, the results of a survey filled out by the students is presented and analyzed.

The survey was designed in order to consider the following aspects:

• The personal situation of the students who filled out the survey related to the subject Theory of Structures (whether they had passed or failed the subject, course of first matriculation, etc.).
• The opinion of the students about circumstantial aspects such as: number of students in the classroom, number of weekly class hours, background given by other subjects.
• The working habits of the students (number of weekly personal work hours and number of hours dedicated in exam periods).
• The opinion of the students about different teaching strategies (problem solving exercises, laboratory practice, continuous evaluation, etc)

The survey was completed by a sample of students who had attended the subject previously. It is worth emphasizing that the Technical Civil Engineering degree, major in Civil Construction, has a high cut off mark.

Some of the conclusions revealed by this work are:
• It is important to reduce the number of students per group.
• It is important to promote the use of bibliographical references, which will have a positive effect even in the professional life of the students.
• Most of the students do not attend tutorship.
• 31% of those polled attended particular academies.
• It is necessary to improve the working habits of the students.
• Most of the students prefer lecture classes instead of interactive classes, with minimum participation and keeping a passive attitude.
Keywords:
Working habits of the students, teaching strategies.