El modelo mixto (presencial-virtual) en la enseñanza de la Biología para Ingenieros Técnicos Agrícolas. Un avance sobre las impresiones de los alumnos

Abstract

We analyzed, by means of a survey, the impressions of the students of Biology on the introduction of the Mixed Modality (presential-virtual) during the course 2002-2003. Biology is a subject belonging to the first course of Agricultural Technical Engineering (Horticulture-Fruticulture and Gardening, and Food and Agriculture Industries) at the University of La Rioja. The participation of the students was relatively low, since only 30% of the registered students answered the survey. The students considered that Biology is a useful subject for their education and they received favorably the introduction of the Mixed Modality. However, they rated lower the virtual part than the presential one. This could be due to: 1) the low availability of computers and scarce knowledge of informatics among the students; 2) the preference of the students to traditional teaching methods; 3) the higher professorial support needed by the students in their first university course, and 4) the possible shortcomings made by the teachers in the first course of Mixed Modality. Some methodological suggestions are outlined for the improvement in the development of the Mixed Modality in the subject of Biology. Our conclusions should be corroborated in the future by means of pluriannual studies.