An IT design to suit our methodology

[EN]The use of IT for teaching and learning is widely accepted as a means to enhance the learning experience. Hence, education professionals at all levels experience the impulse to introduce some kind of IT design in classrooms of every kind, where the use of IT has, at points, become mandatory. Nevertheless, there are little conclusive data that pinpoints what are the exact benefits that a given IT design, per se, brings to teaching or learning [1,2,3,4]. As any other technology, we contend, IT should be closely associated to the teaching methodology to be implemented, having into account all the factors that are going to influence all the process. In this article, we will analyse parameters that are considered to be critical if we are to predict the posible success of an IT design.

Project-based learning using robots with open-source hardware and software

[EN]One of the main issues of the current education system is the lack of student motivation. This aspect together with the permanent change that the Information and Communications Technologies involve represents a major challenge for the teacher: to continuously update contents and to keep awake the student’s interest. A tremendously useful tool in classrooms consists on the integration of projects with participative and collaborative dynamics, where the teacher acts mainly as a guidance to the student activity instead of being a mere knowledge and evaluation transmitter. As a specific example of project based learning, the EDUROVs project consists on building an economic underwater robot using low cost materials, but allowing the integration and programming of many accessories and sensors with minimum budget using opensource hardware and software.

Don Quijote en las aulas de siglo XXI

[ES]La lectura de los clásicos sigue siendo necesaria en nuestras aulas. Es tarea del profesorado realizar una buena adaptación y actualizar su lectura a las inquietudes del siglo XXI para que Don Quijote pueda entrar en las aulas. [EN] Reading classical texts is still needed in our classrooms. It is the role or function of the teachers make a good adaptation and modernize and actualize reading of Cervantes' hero to the concerns of the 21st Century. So, Don Quixote will be returned to the classrooms.