Abstract:

Scientific congresses are regular activities in universities. However, in most cases, undergraduate students do not usually have access to this type of event, which can be a very useful tool for the development of skills and a clear example of project-based learning. The main objective of this study is to develop a management methodology of a scientific congress, so that students develop transversal skills related to the ability to analyze and synthesize, oral and written expression, teamwork, data management and autonomous learning for the generation of information. We created several work teams and a scientific committee made up of the professors who teach the subject. The congress was similar to a real one and took place over several days. It included an inaugural lecture given by the professors of the subject, oral presentations, visit and evaluation of posters and debates. Posters of different subjects related to the subjects taught by the Department of Physiology in the 3 Degrees (Pharmacy, Food Science and Technology, Human Nutrition and Dietetics) were presented. This congress was the opportunity to host, in addition to the knowledge of the traditional theoretical program, also other areas where Physiology can and should manifest its influence, such as Medicine, Veterinary applications, Nutrition and Sports Sciences and applications where Physiology interacts with new technologies and methodologies, oriented to tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. This new organizational approach to knowledge acquisition helps to train students when carrying out the final degree work that they will have to do at the end of the Degree. We took advantage of the seminars for the preparation of the presentations and management of the congress that, according to our teaching guides, have an influence of 10% of the final qualifications. The simulation of congresses has multiple beneficial consequences for the development and acquisition of skills. The advantages of approaching teaching, in a complementary way to the theory, from a practical perspective lead us to continue betting on the promotion of these initiatives. This type of teaching activity provides an ideal context for learning to use and integrate information and communication technologies in the daily practice of teaching, with the purpose of training competent students and to establish connections between academics, life and future work competencies.

Keywords:

Congress simulation, teaching innovation, multimedia resources, learning, information and communication technologies (ICT).