COOPERATIVE BLENDED TECHNIQUES AND VIRTUAL TUTORIALS IN THE FRAMEWORK OF TEACHING APPLIED MATHEMATICS

The paper presents the results of innovation projects carried out by the author during the academic year 2011-2012, focused in virtual tutorials and the use cooperative blended techniques (see [1], [2]) during the teaching and learning processes. The projects have been applied in the first level subjects “Mathematics applied to Edification I” and “Mathematics applied to Edification II” of the Edification Science and Technology Degree offered by the University of Seville, having been focused on creating a challenging communication environment (from the view point of teaching and learning processes) and promoting team working in a broad sense, emphasizing group interaction and also individual responsibility.
The projects have been designed for a group of approximately 50 students, the majority of them signing on for the above mentioned subjects not for the first time.
Our approach enables students to have more control over their own learning an to use computer-based tools offered by the virtual platform WebCT, promoting a flexible and convenient way to learn.
The students have been engaged through the simultaneous use of visual and audio information. The results showed that the approach is very useful for students finding hard to concentrate and be motivated in a traditional learning environment.
The majority of the students decided to participate in the projects and considered it to be very useful. They have been positively evaluated by the participants. One of the main topics of further work consists in adding some computer-based tools as e-boards and web-cams.

References:
[1] Coaten, N. (2003) Blended e-learning. Educaweb, 69. 6 de octubre de 2003.
[2] Marsh G. E., McFadden A. C., Price B. J. (2003) Blended Instruction: adapting conventional instruction for Large classes. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration (VI), Number IV