Formative research. Experiences in the Environmental Engineering career at the Universidad Nacional de Loja

Abstract

Formative research is a university activity where the role of the teacher is essential, mainly as a counselor who cultivates motivation and knowledge in his students in response to social and personal demands. The purpose of the article is to socialize the teaching experiences of the application of formative research as part of the Knowledge Integration Project (PIS). The formative research methodology was assumed to have four moments within the framework of the Knowledge Integration Project, being assumed as an alternative for the curricular development of the Environmental Engineering career in accordance with the needs posed to education. The four examples of research carried out by students applying the designed strategy showed the relevance of the topics, concern for the environment, and interest in the purpose of the profession. Furthermore, these experiences favored the application of professional knowledge and skills, together with the professional and human growth of the participating subjects. The experiences developed point to favorable trends in the quality of teaching, in the training of students, and in the solution to social problems when formative research is promoted as a pedagogical strategy.