Abstract:

Stimulation of students to certain subjects which learning requires a study based on memorization of the contents is a great challenge by the teaching staff responsible of these subjects. The Environmental Sciences subject, taught in first year of Technical Agricultural Engineering, has been being modified and adapted in recent years, using various teaching techniques based on the application of new technologies, especially on the part of taxonomy and systematic, whose learning is based on memorization of contents. Furthermore, it may be that techniques and innovations applied can be efficient in some courses and not others depending on factors like the number of students, preparing them, the characteristics of students. In July of 2009 the education support unit (USE) of the University Jaume I of Castelló adopted an educational improvement project in which we proposed combining the use of teaching techniques as use of the WebQuest and a symposium to address these content.
During the course 2009-2010, a WebQuest has been designed through which students, organized in small groups, have worked these parts of contents of Botany Science by means of the accomplishment of cards. They must complete certain required information on vascular plant families and species belonging to these peculiar characteristics as endemic or endangered.
To complete the work, preparing a symposium we have called “Jornadas de Botánica”, in which students present their works as a poster presentation. This conference will be assisted by 3 experts, who will talk about how to apply to plant taxonomy work and field research. In the organization of the symposium are working students. So we've established several working groups that develop different aspects of the organization (design of the three-page leaflet, diploma, etc.).
Using these techniques has ensured that students have acquired, in addition to the expertise of the matter, skills and ability to work in groups, the use of new technologies and independent learning. The student response has been very good, and their involvement in the work of both the content and the organization of the symposium has proved highly rewarding for teachers.

Keywords:

Webquest, symposium, innovation, new technologies, independent learning, botany.