Abstract:

In the teaching framework of technical subjects such as the Master degree in Civil Engineering and Architecture, it is pretty challenging to establish and e carry on new strategies or activities to increase students' engagement and soft skills.

This particular experience consists of a kind of academic debate between different groups or teams of students in favour and others against a topic. The topic should be controversial and as much as possible recently set by the media. It can be set by teachers or chosen by students among different possibilities.

The methodology explained in the paper, which has been implemented and developed after various courses, follows different steps and tasks. First, students must recognise the problem and sometimes the object of the debate (a site or a building) to properly analyse the subject of the controversy. They also decide which aspects are the most important or key to the problem, from different points of view: technical, environmental, economic, etc.

After that, two opposing alternatives are proposed, for which they must seek arguments based on facts, data, and objective reasoning. After having in common and the debate rules, a jury with teachers and students evaluates the interventions through rubrics. The tasks are led and coordinated by teachers but little by little, and they increase student participation, and a final summary and reflection are put in common.

The results obtained show a high level of information research and professional skills related to technical knowledge have been achieved quickly. Moreover, soft skills such as teamwork, critical thinking, oral and written expression skills in different languages, time management, etc., have also been improved.

The key point is the students' commitment to the enlargement of the team members, the jury, and the rest of the class. Despite the current lockdown due to Covid 19, it has been possible to carry out this activity with online work and communication tools, arousing students' great interest and satisfaction.

Keywords:

Academic debate, Critical thinking, teaching strategies, soft kills, Teaching in Architecture and Engineering.