Methodology

Following the methodology of learning by challenges, the subject is based on a coordinated set of practical works that lead to the elaboration and presentation of a Report of Territorial and environmental Diagnosis on very concrete aspects of the problem posed by the local actors, finally providing some solution proposals to solve them.

The task will be carried out in small groups of 3 students, who can be grouped flexibly depending on the dynamics of work. The practical activity will be accompanied by a set of theoretical and methodological support sessions, as well as the tutoring of the whole learning process. In addition, this process will be carried out in coordination with the aforementioned subject of Qualitative Methods and Fieldwork (MQTC).

The stages of the challenge learning methodology are:

1. Discovery
The first phase involves a double recognition:
a) on the one hand, of the territory and the study problem for each of the working groups, coming into contact with the first actors of the territory, in this case the stakeholders involved in the selected challenge;
b) on the other, of the tools necessary to carry out the subsequent research properly: the elaboration of the diagnosis, and the procedure for the challenge's resolution.
In this phase, each group will make a Delivery on the locality monograph.

2. Research
Research should follow the process required by the selected challenge. This stage also has a double aspect:
a) On the one hand, general documents are analyzed (demographic analysis and projections, data referred to the challenge, regulatory frameworks ...).
b) On the other hand, contact is made with the assigned equipment, conducting interviews with their managers and visiting facilities, observing users and the environment. In this part, cooperation with the MQTC subject is essential.

3. Identification of needs and proposals for improvement
The third phase is characterized by obtaining results, accurately identifying the shortcomings in each of the sectors, and coming to point out proposals for improvement at an initial level for the equipment analyzed by each group.

These activities will have the reinforcement of conferences by local stakeholders or other experts realted to the challenge.

4. Presentation of Results
Communicating the results is an essential step in the process. It will be done in two formats:
• Diagnosis Report
• Oral presentations
As previously stated, the key results are expected to be presented to municipal officials and / or key actors in Terrassa’s civil society.

Learning activities

Directed
Lectures on methodology and the case study
Joint fieldwork for the first territorial analysis

Supervised
Orientation and follow-up sessions on the preparation of the Report
Orientation sessions and follow-up of the presentation of the results (oral presentation)

Autonomous
Methodological readings and on the problem posed (the territory and the equipment)
Information search and analysis: documentation and statistics
Field work: visits to the facilities and interviews with managers
Elaboration of the results: Report, oral presentation, posters.

At the beginning of the course, the teacher will explain the protocol of measures and good practices for field trips.

Note: 15 minutes of a class will be reserved, within the calendar established by the center / degree, for the complementation by the students of the surveys of evaluation of the performance of the profesorado and of evaluation of the asignatura / module.

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.