Methodologies to reduce the impact on the academic performance of the students of numerous classes of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Cuenca

Changing a structure that prioritizes teaching to small groups of students to teach numerous groups is undoubtedly a challenge they have decided to face universities around the world. The benefits are evident: time available to carry out research activities, writing texts and scientific articles, student guide in chair and research assistance activities, students' counseling, etc. Although there is no strong evidence on the pedagogical advantages of small groups, numerous groups are always considered impersonal and difficult to handle. To mitigate these inconveniences there are research around the world that have found support in technological tools. In this context, technologies such as mobile learning (M-learning) and learning management systems emerge as resources that can be combined with student teaching-learning methodologies. This combination could be an adequate basis for developing tools that boost the teaching-learning process, where students have a leading role in the gestation of their knowledge. One of the criteria proposed by the Council for Accreditation and Assurance of the Quality of Higher Education in Ecuador (CEAACES) for the evaluation of careers specifies that a university professor must perform not only teaching tasks, in this sense, penalize the exclusive dedication to teaching activities. Beyond complying with the requirements imposed by CEAACES, the company requires that the university investigate the local unresolved problems and to participate in the solution of global problems. Following international parameters, the CEAACES indicators place special emphasis on the publications made by teachers as well as their participation in scientific dissemination events at national and international level. The exclusive dedication to teaching has perhaps been the most important factor that has limited research activities as well as the publication of its results. Measures such as the increase in the size of the students of students is an alternative that can generate time for university professors to develop other tasks to more than teaching, eg research, link with the community, specialized consulting, preparation of material for their classes, etc. However, managing numerous groups requires the development of appropriate policies and technological support tools. This program proposal investigates aspects that contribute to implement a more dynamic and constructivist education focused on the student, as a measure to mitigate the negative effects that the classes taught to numerous groups of students could have. This project seeks to explore and design teaching-learning methodologies that delineate the proper use of learning management systems (SGA) web oriented as well as mobile devices: eg tablets, mobile phones, laptops, etc. The first project pursues on the one hand to establish mechanisms that allow using the learning management system (SGA) of the Faculty of Engineering under criteria of a constructivist methodology Side aims to determine the impact that this SGA could have on the academic performance of numerous class students. The second project seeks to determine the usefulness that mobile devices could have to develop teaching tools closer to university students, as well as generate means that allow them to develop group work and that leave evidence of the importance of each of the subjects within professional training.

X RESEARCH PROJECT COMPETITION, V RESEARCH PROGRAM COMPETITION.