Estrategias metodológicas en actividades prácticas de la carrera Manejo de Recursos Naturales de la UNED durante la pandemia por la COVID-19

Abstract

In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an international public health emergency due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). This forced many countries to close their educational establishments as prevention. In the graduate program Nature Resource Management (known as MARENA) and specifically the Chairs of Natural Sciences (NC), and Ecology and Environmental Education (EEE). Therefore it was necessary to adapt our courses with in-person practices, field trips, labs, and workshops into an entirely virtual modality. In order to continue with the academic year, methodological strategies were designed and applied using technological tools and information and communications technology (ICT). Some methodological strategies included: home laboratories, virtual workshops, video field trips, video laboratories, and other audiovisual support materials. The present work aims at analyzing the methodological strategies in the courses of our NC and EEE Chairs that required practical activities during the COVID-19 pandemics in 2020 and 2021. A qualitative research model consisting of descriptive and exploratory aspects and applied content analysis as an analytical method was used. A total of twelve career courses that required a practical class were considered. According to this experience, incorporating ICTs and technological tools as allies of the teaching and learning processes can be crucial for assuring meaningful learning to the students. Therefore, success or failure and monitoring ICTs incorporation should be the subject of future studies.