Physical models as proyect-based learning in soil mechanics in the times of Covid-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic brought out challenges in the teaching and learning process of higher education, considering that in the last years are been generated new proposals of pedagogical models, where the student is the center of learning. This work presents the applicability of the learning strategy based on projects to comprehend the concept of one-dimensional flow in the subject of soil mechanics by means of creating physical models of falling head permeability with the available materials by the student, and these allow collecting data. This research had a sample of 58 models created by students in the individual way following a methodological sequence. The project lasted one month, and it was assessed using an evaluation rubric that considered seven criteria that involve all process developed. The results showed that 84.5% of students demonstrated total comprehension of the one-dimensional flow concept, the calculation of permeability coefficient, the importance of the materials to use and the versatility for designing adaptable models to remote sites and with low budget, but 15.5% of students had difficulties connecting the theory with the process of designing a model. The students recognized that this strategy made easier the learning and researching process, develop ingenuity and, it is a real example of application theory beyond the classroom.