Classroom improvement cycle in architecture by means of problem-based learning

Abstract

This paper presents a teaching innovation proposal applied to the subject of Soil Mechanics and Foundations, which is taught on the third course in the Degree in Fundamentals of Architecture. This is a very technical subject, with a high level of difficulty and density of concepts. Therefore, in order to improve the students’ learning, experimentation is necessary. This experimentation consisted in a Classroom Improvement Cycle (CIC) applied to the “soil surveying” topic during two sessions of four and two hours of duration, respectively. The cycle is based on the alternative didactic model, which is focused on problem-based learning with brief contributions by the professor. A sequence of activities has been developed, with the last activity being the most important one, as it is based on the resolution of a real problem. The results of this cycle have been satisfactory. The students have assimilated the sequences and improved their learning. However, it demands more effort from both the students and the teachers.