Abstract:

Following the new educational orientations suggested by the Bologna agreement new didactic techniques have been implemented in Spanish universities during the last decade. Various techniques are used to improve not only cognitive learning but also the acquisition of other skills that are considered equally important for the training of students as future professionals. Some of the activities that are put into practice in the Plant Physiology subject since the academic year 2011/12 in the degree of Biology in the University of Valencia (Spain) are described. They include seminars prepared and presented by small groups of students, presentation in a poster format of an experimental work performed during the academic year, flip-teaching in small group tutorials, enhancement of students’ participation by the use of clickers, peer evaluation and use of online quizzes to improve formative assessment. Results are presented of a survey which was carried out during the academic year 2013/14 to know the students opinion on the new methods used.

Keywords:

Biology, Bologna agreement, clickers, flip-teaching, online quizzes, plant physiology.