Cooperative learning at the Analytical Chemistry laboratory

Résumé

Cooperative learning is a work organizational system to motivate students, whobecome responsible for their own and their team mates learning. Unlike theindividualistic and competitive learning styles, in cooperative learning studentachievements occurs only when the other students in the group also achieve theobjectives and rewards. Systematic application of this methodology helps reachingthree basic principles of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA): studentparticipation and autonomy, active methodologies application and lecturer role asfacilitator in the learning process. In short, this methodology involves splitting up theclass into small teams, which have to organize their self-workload to completeassignments and reach objectives previously established. Each team member isresponsible for specific tasks that must be properly completed for the final success ofthe group. In this communication we propose the cooperative learning for effectivelaboratory lessons of analytical chemistry, aimed to last year students of chemicalengineering. The specific assignment involves the verification of a whole equipmentof liquid chromatography (HPLC) with spectrophotometric detection (UV-Vis) tocheck compliance with supplier specifications. In addition to specific competences,applying cooperative learning approach, students develop generic competences suchas critical thinking, working with other, project management and communicationamong others