Abstract:

The second cycle of Agricultural Engineer Degree began to be offered in the EPSO, following a semi-virtual format, in 2005. This initiative arose from the suggestion of the Alicante Agricultural Engineers Association, and was destined to people that cannot attend classes in a regular way at the university due to work or family reasons. It was necessary to adapt the Genetics and Plant Breeding course, taught in the 4th course in the Agricultural Engineer Degree. The course was divided into 14 topics. Teaching was afforded in a semi-virtual format, using the open source learning environment Moodle, so that 75% of the contents are given on-line: all the theoretical classes and half of the practical sessions. The other half of the practical sessions are carried out through practical work and exercises and through two visits to breeding companies and research institutions related to agronomy and genetic improvement. All the information and material are available in the website of the subject. Students download the topics and tasks and upload the files with the elaborated tasks to be evaluated. The use of the Moodle platform allows a very smooth contact between teacher and students. During the 4 courses of development of the program, nearly 50 students have taken the course in semi-virtual format, obtaining results that can be considered very satisfactory, since almost 80% have passed the subject on the first attempt.