Abstract:

The educational offer made by the universities comprises several learning models consisting mainly of higher degrees to which postgraduate or doctorate studies, summer courses, etc. are added.

Summer courses are a very interesting element within the university work as examples of an open offer to the society, more specific and more accesible, in their content as well as in the period and how to conduct training educational offerings.

The offer in this area is extensive, as these courses can be provided not only by universities but by other organizations such as foundations, institutes, associations, etc. The subject matter is wide ranging, encompassing subjects from different areas of knowledge (social and legal, experimental, technical, humanities and health sciences).

The Technical University of Cartagena has been doing for several years a program of summer courses whose main objective is the expansion and deepening of knowledge in certain subjects, related to the knowledge imparted in the teachings regulated in different degrees, but with no specific treatment within the syllabus.

For the last two years, it has been offering a course called Journey into a water infrastructure: Taibilla's channels. It stands out for its different format and the use of new technologies for its realization.
The course aims to go in depth in the understanding of a singular hydraulic body such as Taibilla's Channels. This autonomous body under the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs is responsible for managing the water supply to the population of the southeastern part of Spain.

The novelty of the course is to avoid long theoretical sessions at a centralized location, adapting the content to make the course as in an itinerant way. So, you know not only how the body performs its functions, but also the operation and maintenance of its different facilities, which are explained in situ by its own staff during the three days in which the course takes place.
The limited time available and the many installations to visit require to redefine the course format, making the most of the various movements as formative times that complement visits and presentations made at the various facilities. For this purpose, some videos are designed and recorded, being played during the bus rides, in order to have an impact on different aspects, explain unique works performed, etc. This represents an increase in the actual number of class hours of the course, as well as an optimization of these.

Moreover, the widespread use of mobile devices allows students' interaction with the virtual university classroom no matter their location. This fact is one of the advantages of the course to complement the information provided with technical data that participants can consult depending on where they are located.

In addition, this custom query allows savings in the resources and materials provided to the students, allowing the adjustment of the provided budget for the overall organization.

The actions taken and the degree of participation and acceptance of the students who took part in the last edition of the course are described in the present paper.

Keywords:

Summer courses, virtual learning.