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An article from the University of Murcia (UMU), recently published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science, shows that certain collaborative learning strategies applied at the university level favor the development of communication skills and competencies, allow the identification of comprehension difficulties.
ny expression of theoretical concepts and reinforce the assimilation of knowledge.
The study collects the main results achieved in a pilot educational activity, consisting of conducting mock interviews about science in a professional television studio similar to a real set, which was developed among students of the Degree in Journalism and of Veterinary Medicine of the UMU, during February and March 2020.
The interviews conducted were about OneHealth, or 'Una Salud' in Spanish, "a concept that suggests the existence of an interdependence and connection between human, animal and environmental health," defines Asta Tvarijonaviciute, a of the study's principal investigators.
With this initiative, the students entered the task of scientific dissemination and learned to communicate scientific concepts in a simple and efficient way for a non-specialized audience, developing very useful skills that would serve them throughout throughout his career.
The objectives set were met based on the perceptions of the students and the teaching staff involved, who were sent a survey to obtain feedback.
Finally, from the data collected, it emerged that "this proposal, based on voluntary, collaborative and participatory actions, promoted the reinforced practical application of the theoretical content, achieving a deeper understanding of the subjects and dynamizing learning and the creativity of the student body ", says Delfina Roca, another of the main people in charge of the research.
An innovative project with advantages for teachers and students This action was highly positive for the teachers "in terms of exchange of knowledge, ideas, teaching skills, experiences and methodologies inside and outside the classroom, both virtual and face-to-face," says Silvia Martinez Subiela.
In such a way that, according to Tvarijonaviciute, the interaction between experts from different areas, as happened with the methodology applied in this project among Veterinary and Communication teachers, favored the resolution n of complex problems that would not have had the same answer if only professionals from a single discipline had been involved.
The teachers involved perceived benefits in the Communication students related to the implementation of the journalistic specialization, the professional exercise of audiovisual genres to improve the skills of expression in public and increased self-confidence when facing an audience and specialists from other fields.
In the same way, they observed that, for Veterinary students, the activity improved their communication skills, their knowledge about the subject and their awareness of the importance of deepening, assimilating and understanding the information before sharing it.
In general, the teaching staff expressed the conviction that this type of initiative is useful and beneficial for the students in terms of their future professional performance, due to the ability to share knowledge in an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary way, so it would be desirable to include it in the curriculum of the two specialties.
For their part, the majority of the students accepted the applied active learning methodology favorably, which involves students and increases their motivation, and which is being widely used to replace the more traditional so-called passive teaching.
teacher-centered.
In accordance with this, "the majority of participants from both degrees stated that this project allowed them to strengthen the knowledge acquired in the classroom, that they enjoyed the experience in studying television and collaborating with students from other faculties, expressing, in turn, their willingness to repeat the experience ", indicates Asta Tvarijonaviciute.
Benefits of scientific dissemination in Higher Education No knowledge about science is considered as such until it is made known to the scientific community and the public.
In this sense, "scientific dissemination implies moving from the deficit model that maintains that knowledge belongs to the experts to a more democratic one in which society is taken into account" , Roca points out.
However, teaching about communication or popular science is rarely included in the curricula of science majors in university education.
Likewise, with the activity carried out, the students were allowed to become familiar with and explore the world of scientific dissemination and improve their ability to clearly and effectively transmit the concepts acquired.
According to Roca, the Veterinary students, helped by the Communication students, had to translate the specialized knowledge into a more general language, seeking to inform with precision while trying to capture the interest and curiosity of the audience, all without losing rigor.
Marinez Subiela adds that, given that most Veterinary graduates will work in private practice, one of the benefits of this innovative project more widely applicable to them will be "a greater ability to communicate issues sometimes complex doctors to clients (pet owners) both inside and outside the clinic.
" In addition, the teacher maintains, that students who dedicate themselves to research will have acquired skills to communicate their results to a non-specialized audience.
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Source: Universidad de Murcia
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