Last year, 21 initiatives were awarded, which were presented in a seminar held within the framework of the institution's 43rd anniversary. 

The academic Eugenia Álvarez Saavedra worked in 2023 on the teaching innovation project called “3D Modeling as a methodological strategy in the learning of Design students.” She is one of the 43 professors at the University of La Serena who developed initiatives to strengthen class work thanks to institutional financing.

Likewise, Professor María Macarena Díaz, together with a team of academics from the Department of Architecture, presented the project “The sensory didactics of the assembly as a learning tool: Creation of the concept to the form”, which sought to enhance the development of the competence space in students of the first basic cycle of the Architecture career.

These two initiatives were part of the 21 “Teaching Strengthening and Innovation Projects (PROFID)”, that are developed every year by University professors and that were presented in a seminar that addressed the learning and challenges from the experience of ULS academics.

Doctor Álvarez reflected on the importance of continuous improvement and research in teaching: “The design of projects allows academics to investigate problems that develop in the learning of university students. It is important to have that approach and connection within the classroom in the work of teaching,” she indicated.

“The focus should always be the student, their times, strengths and weaknesses when learning. A motivated student will attend classes and her learning will be significant alongside her peers,” concluded Dr. Álvarez, who is an academic in the Department of Arts and Letters.

For her part, María Macarena Díaz, highlighted the importance of teaching reflection and institutional support: “I believe that reflection in teaching and this type of projects that help you improve the didactics of classes are essential. The financial support that we gave the project, in this case to generate teaching material, it was incredible, because a long time ago we wanted to do this, but the funds were not there,” he said.

“Students were able to level up, learn collaboratively, and improve their interactions. It is important to provide sensory and practical experiences to students, since they are long-term learning,” said the academic from the Department of Architecture.

The presentations were divided into three thematic axes: “Development of materials/resources for learning”, “Incorporation of active methodological strategies to achieve deep learning” and “Technologies and evaluation for learning”.

The PROFIDs, promoted by the Academic Vice-Rector of the University of La Serena, aim to strengthen quality, promote innovation and work between different disciplines and encourage research in teaching.

Rector Rojas referred to the challenges that the institution has to face, in a scenario of constant change and evolution: “Today more than ever, we are presented with the opportunity to explore new strategies, tools and pedagogical approaches that allow us “enhance meaningful learning and the comprehensive development of our students.”

“Innovation projects in teaching are the vehicle through which we can transform our classrooms into spaces of meeting and discovery, where dialogue and collaboration flourish, and where each student has the opportunity to reach their maximum potential,” highlighted the Rector. .

Guest speaker  

For her part, the academic from the University of Chile, Dr. Verónica Pizarro Torres, commented on her experiences “Sotl, teaching and research in learning and service in business.” Likewise, she highlighted the ULS initiative to promote innovation in the classrooms: “A complex institution is one that does teaching, research and extension, and communicates it. So, giving support to teachers to carry out these three functions is essential, since it is the basis for the institution to grow with teachers who are motivated and not only teach in the classroom, but also do research on their teaching practices and communicate them to the outside.”