APPLICATION OF 'THE ALTER BAHNHOF VIDEO WALK' TO DEVELOP EMPATHY BETWEEN TEACHERS AND STUDENTS

The following research paper exposes an experience case applying 'The Alter Bahnhof Video Walk' technique in students of three semesters of the Social Communication career at the Technical University of Machala (UTMACH), in the 2015-2016 period. The Technical University of Machala is an institution of higher education located in the south of Ecuador country, specifically at Machala city. The objective of this experience case was to record the subjective and intimate world of university students by using the mobile phone in order to unveil their thoughts and those scenarios that have marked, in a deep way, their existence. In this classromm exercise, the past and the present are united in moving images that reveal meditations and memories of each student. 'The Alter Bahnhof Video Walk' was designed for the old train station in Kassel, Germany as part of 'Documenta', an art installation created by Canadian artists, Jane Cardiff and George Bures Miller. With this technique an alternate world opens up where reality and fiction meld in a disturbing and uncanny way that has been referred to as physical cinema. In this confusion, the past and present conflate and students guide us through a meditation on memory and reveal the poignant moments of being alive and present. This paper exposes a qualitative methodology based on the technique of documentary video where the protagonists are students who apply the technique by mean of 'in situ observation' and the field output.

The principal results of this art experience in classroom are:
1) Highly creative and subjective documentary videos,
2) New audiovisual productions by learner initiative,
3) Socialization of short films among university community
4) content feedback and peer evaluation among students.

As conclusion, this paper infers that 'The Alter Bahnhof Video Walk' technique improves the relationship between teacher and graduates, develops empathy in these educational actors and also helps to understand particular life situations that directly influence the attitude and behaviour of our university scholars. Besides, 'The Alter Bahnhof Video Walk' technique encourages creativity and team work among classroom partners.