Enhancing dynamic student learning by teamwork in innovative projects at an Erasmus Mundus master subject adapted to the EHEA (EEES)

Abstract

The EHEA (EEES in Spain) is creating common academic degree standards comparable and compatible between the European countries. The definition of the new Credit unit, the ECTS, focused on the hours of study devoted by the students, is also promoting the renovation of the educational process at the higher studies of Graduate Degree and Master. We describe the experience of innovation of the teaching practice of the “Fibres & Telecommunications” subject of the Master PhotonicsBCN (part of the Erasmus Mundus Master EUROPHOTONICS), by introducing team9 working techniques for promoting: the development of cooperative learning, interpersonal skills, and positive interdependence among the students, not forgetting the individual initiative and responsibility. The teamwork is oriented to small innovation projects (inspired in state9of9the9art research challenges faced by the European FP7 EURO9FOS Network9 of 9Excellence) promoting interactive and dynamic student learning process. Each team member is spontaneously encouraged to learn as much as possible on both: the area of his task inside the common project, and also the influence of his task in the over all results of the project. This is implemented by the use of commercial software for professional systems deployment (VPIphotonics TM ), which allows each team to check the real viability of their innovative solutio