Synchronous Virtual Classrooms in Problem-Based Learning to Mentor and Monitor Students in Higher Education

Abstract

This chapter describes the experience of using synchronous virtual classroom (SVC) with undergraduate students in both Telematics and Computer Science Engineering degrees at the University of Extremadura. A problem-based learning methodology to mentor and monitor the course entitled Information Security in 2014--2015 was implemented. SVC was used in 100% of virtual seminars where students and teachers accomplished the work program, in the initial session where the working groups were established, and throughout the final seminar where results were exposed. In addition, in the course of intermediate and group sessions, while faculty was not present, this platform was also employed. All in all, results show that Adobe Connect Synchronous room was used as a virtual classroom using PBL methodology with great success.