Docência no ensino superior: o uso das mídias digitais como estratégia pedagógica

Abstract

The traditional ways of conceiving knowledge are reinvigorating the discussion on interdisciplinary curriculum and active methods in teaching and learning. Digital technologies are highlighted in this context, expanding around the virtual culture. The objective of this research was to investigate how teachers in a university in the state of São Paulo are using digital media in their classes. For this purpose, we performed an exploratory and qualitative research. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews. It was found that new technologies are present in the classroom, however, have not provided major advances to traditional teaching methods, because, as a tool for pedagogical mediation, are still not sufficiently assimilated by teachers. Digital technologies have not yet optimized the process of teaching and learning, effectively approaching the student and teaching contents. The acquisition and manipulation of information through new technologies alone are not sufficient, as technique by technique does not ensure the optimization of the process of knowledge construction by students. The intervention by the educator is crucial in view of creating a link between the life experiences of students and academic content. For the integration of new technologies in teaching practice is effective and consistent with the current curriculum guidelines, it is necessary a policy of continuous training in order to provide not only a technical mastery of each technology or software and its capabilities, but also a pedagogical mastery and how these tools can be used in the classroom to create conditions of its effective use in the higher education institutions. These organizational and operational conditions involve both logistics (equipment, maintenance, space, condition of access by teachers and students) as formative processes of educators to guide their use and help detecting problems and opportunities for innovation. It follows therefore that the gains in student learning are related to familiarity with digital technologies and the trust regarding their use in the classroom. Regardless to the generation that the teacher belongs and the technological context in which he lived, he is able to learn and deal with the new, being enough that he is open to learning and find in the higher education institutions support to their experiences and the opportunity to develop their skills in the use of new technologies.