Abstract:

The study has two objectives that complement each other, and it describes a pedagogic experience carried out in a Portuguese Public high school, within a Portuguese language subject. The first objective of this research aims to develop an autonomous learning approach for the Portuguese Literature, through the creation and editing of videos. The second objective is to develop a reflection about the (re)definition of the student’s role, as well as the teacher’s role in its ability to be autonomous as a “teaching professional” and “curriculum manager”, in this everchanging social and technological world.

It is a case study of exploratory and qualitative nature, framed in an action-critical research environment, carried out in the academic year 2017/2018 with 23 students from a 12th grade class. It focused on the field of Literary Education, planned for Portuguese classes official program. The teacher-researcher used methodologies and innovative strategies, resorting to digital technologies, and focused on students' skills as “generation Z”.

The data were collected using various techniques:
i) participant observation;
ii) surveys, in the form of questionnaires and interviews;
iii) document analysis;
iv) testing.

Firstly, the results obtained allow to conclude that the approach to literary works, through video, enhanced autonomous, rewarding, and challenging learning: the student is, in fact, placed at the center of the teaching and learning process. It is possible to conclude that the investigation has promoted the fullness education success of the students by: the progress in terms of both written and oral expression, cultural enrichment, technological skills, critical thinking, the ability of working in team, autonomy, time management, creativity, aesthetics, and the results obtained in summative tests as well as in national examinations. In other words, the methodology and the strategies harmoniously reconciled the formal curriculum and the competencies set out in the Profile of Students on Leaving Mandatory Education.

Secondly, the study shows the importance of the role of the teacher, as a teaching professional, able to manage the curriculum autonomously, as conferred by the Teaching Career Statute, as well as it proves that the teacher is capable to practice his art, in a permanent self-reflection on his praxis.

Keywords:

Video, Autonomy, Educational success, Technology.