Active methodologies for improving development of graduate students' competences: a four year study

Abstract

This paper represents the experiences and results of 103 students in two courses of the Official Masters in Marriage and Family (http://www.unav.es/es/icf/master/), gathered during four academic years (2005-2006, 2006-2007, 2007-2008 and 2008-2009). The two courses studied were “Family Education during Infancy” (EFI) and “Orientation Models in Family Psycho-pedagogy” (MOPF). To be specific, it deals with a methodological proposal which stimulates the integration of practical teaching of the two courses mentioned as well as the development of the student’s abilities. Those abilities are instrumental, interpersonal, systematic and specific to the profession of the counselor. The academic program of this Masters combines the online version which lasts two years, with two weekly sessions during the month of August. The results obtained reveal the Masters student’s high level of satisfaction with the use of the active methodologies, forcing the educator to face new challenges about the way in which he favors the independent work of each student.